The Money Story - April 2001 by Armenian International Magazine

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Gonnections 30 The Forgotten Diaspora Hratch Tchilingirian visits the Armenian community of Bulgaria and discovers a wealth of history and art (below, work by Bulgarian-Armenian artist, Garo Mouradian).

Departments

12 13

From the Editor Letters 16 AIM View Notebook

18 0uote Unquote 20 Where Are They 21 Bytes on File

Now

Focus

Looking for a Real Peace Armenian-Azerbaijani Negotiations in Key West

Arts

42 Armenian

Bands Seen As a Movemenl

50 A Diva Named

Nune

54 Books 56 AlMarketplace 58 Faces 60 Underexposed 62 Essay

Cover Story

24 Tte Money Story John Hughes lollows the distribution of US

Connections

funds in Yerevan

38 Asylum Seekers Armineh Johannes captures the harsh realities laced by Armenian relugees in France.

Gover design by Patrick Azadian

Armenian lntemational Magazine Volume 12, lssue Three

- and lollows a trail that

sometimes leads right back to Washington, DC

Foreign: $65. Poslmasles: Sef,d addres changes to AIM, PO. Box 10793, Glendale, CA 91209. USA.

AIM APRIL

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.1NNI Disseminating Each Other's Message

EditoFPublisher

Salpi Haroutlnlan Ghazarlan Senior Editor

John Hu0hos

The international part of the magazine's name refers not simply to the content of our pages, and the addresses of our subscribers. It also refers to the locations and markets of

Art Director

Pahicl lradtrn

our advertisers.

Assistant to the Editor

Hrslr Sadds Sa*l$lan

Grand robacco, which is a sister company to Grand sun and Grand candy have been on

AIM3 back cover for

Editor al Large

Patil llazadrn

They represent the potential of the Armenian economy: home grown products, manufactured in country with the local, regional and internaa year.

Associate Edilors

A. H. Alexandrlan, Yoruyan To[y Halpin, London

tional markets in mind. The Grand companies,led by the vardanian family, also represent a good part of AIM's market Armenia-based businesses which want to make themselves known to international markets. The Gumri based Isuz Enterprises are a welcome

Conlributing Edilo6

lil.tlhrr l(annian, Romld Gdgor Su0y, TrlinG Uoslorltchian Contributing Writers

Ctd$tophcr Al'ml8n, Paul Ciadorllan, F6llx Corloy, Krisloo Xldd, Hr.lch Tchlllnelrtrn

addition to this group of advertiser.

At the other end of the horizon are Avakian Jewelers who are a significant name on the world stage, and who join AIM from their base in Geneva, switzerland. The Avakians, just as varoujan Iskenderian of Sydney, Australia, don't simply represent a

Associate Publisher

To[l I[olidonian Subscriplions Manaoer

Soh l$odanian

successful business. They are also active in community organizations and Armenia-based

projects. They represent another share of

Advertising Manaoer

Fiml il6Ihltarian

AIM's market: the successful entrepreneur

Marketing Manager

fiiahid 0or Vadanian

who is also a forceftrl presence on the Armenian scene. This is also true of the other jewelers who have advertised in the magazine, who together would represent a force that

Administrative Assistant

Esler l(6shlshy.n lnterns

would have to be reckoned with in their industry: Piene Akkelian and Vahe Isnar of Canada, the Istanboulian brothers of Italy, Edward Misserlian of San Francisco, Zohrab

Chrlstlna Shirinyan, Camline ilinassian YGteyan Euroau 67 (oohbatsi Street, No. 'l

Keverian of Australia, Joe Taktajian of New York, ohanes Agopian of Bangkok and Kuyumdjyan of Thailand.

Phone 533699

E-mail aimarm@arminco.com Coordinator

Aida Yeghiazarian and Remax, Rafi ourfalian's Law offices, Garbis Titizian and

Anahit lllailimssian

Levon Tiavel, the Turpanjian family and Pacific Sales, st. vincent's Jewelry center, Dr. Garo Kassabian, the Haytaian Family's Caf6 Santorini and Ardash Derderian's Digilith

Editorial Assistant

Sona Dani6lian Assistants

ilarine Arushanian, Anna Govod(ian

share the same kind of business prominence and community involvement.

Advertising Manager

ISB Enteprises falls into yet another category. Armen Kazandjian's manufacturing flrm is a major manufacturer and retailer in Canada. At the same time, he is branching

Gohar Sahalian Edll Balaiar, LG Anlolrs;

lla*

into Armenia with an eye to running a successful business, making money and creating jobs. None of these objectives are contradictory and Armen is among those who are proving that they can do all three, quietly, persistently, under the radar screen. The Italybased Renco group with its construction projects and the beautiful Yerevan Hotel are in somewhat the same category as is Vartkes Barsam's Hye Business Suites and Hovsepianb Jet Line Cargo.

Krikor

Finally, the presence of USAID, World Bank and other international agencies, British Mediterranean Airlines, Swiss Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Dolce and Gabbana and Wells Fargo Bank, is a sign of the international pull of the global Armenian community. AIM is pleased to work with these and other advertisers to make their presence known on the

Armenian scene and to help them disseminate their message, even as they make it possible for AIM disseminate its various messages to you.

A*r

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Emln, Yalsyal; SBan Patl6, London; Ja[!t Sam[0llrn, Palm Sp]in0s: Itallaslan, Bhod3 lslard; cr0rC6 BoumouilaD, Lola Koundrkiian, ilow York; llydam Gaumo, Prds; ilo0rad lrooradlan, WashlnCton, DC; Yailan ilrllEiatr,

C0ntributo6:

8uonos Ai.os, Dle0o Xaramalldian, Photognphem:

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I{.ngedrn,

BoJbs[

tonhddlo.

(hachatiar, Zauan XlEGhtHar, Amonla;

lfloi[,

Aloudllen,

Armlnit Johann6, Allna lranoulian, FEms; Edmond lonloplan, lodn. lmer, l(eyoil o,ansozlan, 8afr Etmoklt, Ertc t{aaiin, An oshagrn, Caliloml0; Garo Lachinian, Ilsrctlrsltb; Hrlry l(oundakiian, ilew Yot BaO. An Zotlan, Bhod6 tst.rd.

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Editor Erneritus

Ghades

llaarian

lilrrnatlonal Srhscilpli0m and Aduertising Rsprosontallvo8 lrledlna Cole0io Me(llihrisb, Virrey del Pino 3511 (142q Euenos Airs, Phone 54t1

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Varooj lskenderian, 148 Koola Ave. East KillaE NSW 2071 piore 2PA2; Allred Marlâ&#x201A;Źrian, P0. 8ox 370, Hads Park NSW 2150. phore 029897 1846; Vahe Mteb P0. Box 250, Port Melbourne, Victoria 3207. Pnw m 9794 00m Camda Raniig Hakimrm, 3150 Saneton StrEt, St. Lau,at, 0uebs H,4R1E3, Brm 514 4552 3590

m.051

irilifl,

339 251 7 Horo fon0 Jack RM. A2. 1 UI, Blmk l, 26 loi ClEun0 Bd., Kortmn 8ay, Kowloon. Phone 852 795 9888ltal, Pierc Batanhn, Via Mortffi,61 A4A, Rw, Phone 995 1235 Leianon Zanouhi Kabtim. P0. Bor 55669, 8einX, Lebonon, Phom (j)

51M2 UIilcd Ani EmlntB Guliar Joniai, P0. Box 44564, Abu Dhabi, UAE, ptDm 911 2 fA4 7n1 . ta 971 tAA 8'l 91 Uritod lffild0m Mi$I otEnian, 1 05A Ml[ Hilt Rd. Acton, London W38Jl Pi0ne 020 8992 4621

Wilte to Atiil We welcome all communicalion. Although we read all letters and submissions. we are unable to acknowledqe everything tre receiw due lo limiEd shfling and resources. Ldters l0 tE Edilor may be edited for publicdion.

Armenian lntemalional Magazine Founded in 1990 FoundinO Editor

Vartan oskanian

Founding Publisher llilchael llahabet 207 South Brand Boulevard, Suite 203 Glendale, California 91204 USA

7979 Fax 818 246 0088 E-mail aimagazine@aol.com

Phone 818 246

AIM APRIL

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and savor it tonight with my kindred and liquid spirits. Why must transcendence be wed

"Fi$t, and

last, there is Genocide." This

in your editorial

compels me to

share my feelings. In psychology, identification is central

to the formation and development of

the penonality and the experiences that

We identify ourselves with câ&#x201A;Źrtain people,

my grandparents who were orphans as a result

of the

I can see that AIM magazine has been looking more Iike Lifethm Tlme. Irss words and more pictures. I am not sure if this was your intention, but in my opinion the magazine looks great and you are touching a nerve. It has been said that "one picture is worth a thousand words." Photographs have the magic of putting the reader face to face with the reality of the person or the event being described. It was extremely moving to see Armenian girls in a classroom in Tehran and painful to view the homeless family in the steebof Armenia.Your nGnonsense reporting combined with the photographs you present will add to that special sensation that we all are members of the same global Armenian family and that we do know what these memben look like. Thank you for bringing us together. Varoujan Froundjinn

identiwith those things, whid have made such an

places, objects, events and concepts. We

Manhasset,

NewYork

trlt

impression on our pnyches that we peroeive some

Not

benefit in maintaining them in our minds. Armenians identiff very strongly with their church, their language, and their ancesfral homeland. These thinp make them who they are. They define the Armenian, and they have

Diaspora and Armenia are not aperfect fit, as cleverly noted by 'zany' in the 'Diasporan Diary' of March 2001. issue. Yet, a closer examination of the przzls pieces will reveal, if pushed hard enough, they can flt. Perhaps, not perfectly;but they will flt.

consciously chosen to be defined so. 11rc ms thing for which I can see no benefit is the identification with Genocide. It has become the cental theme for so many Armenians. From my perspective, I would tend to acoept that the

Tbrkish action on the Armenians did in fact occur with the stated intent of annihilation. I have no argument there. Notwitlstanding my aaeptance of the fact that something like this occurred, I do not personally identiS with it. I think it would be very healthy for Armenians to stop identifying with suffering. In Genocide, I see an underlying belief in suffering and punishment, and if this is in the mentality then indeed suffering in all its forms is what will be experienced. For one who prefers !o suffer or sees some benefit or righteousness in it, then let him suffer. But then that person has given up his right to complain about it.

Arthur Saginian Saugus,Caffirnia What a wonderful double issue! My eyes got moist after the fourth page. Had to stop

was reading about the I remembered all four of

totragedy? Sadness is rejuvenating. Maybe thatb

I am not stue if your readers have noticed,

statement

Genocide, naturally,

why therapy to Armenians means shedding tears. Your readers willbe flgfuting goose bump during each turn of the page' Eric, Email

but

A Century of Oneb Orm

lifetimes. When

a Perfect

Yes,

K.Azadian Tujunga, Califumia

The Centuryb Gifts

It is difficult to put in words the appreciation I felt for the excellent issue I could not stop reading. It was emotionally dfficult reading for any Annenian and one could easily cune the CenturyThat Was whichbrought somuch unnecesary suffering and near-annihilation to our nation, the ramifications of which continue to date. Just to make me breathe a little easier, I started to remember all the wonderful gifts our nation has given the world in the Century ThatWas inthe areas of musig art, architechue, medicine, science and just about every other area of life under most dfficult of conditions. The issue made me remember the struggle of our nation in the 190s and 198ft, beginning with Gourgen Yanikian, getting the Armenian Cause to be recogrized intemationally and the countles othenwho followed. When I remember those days, I feel I have actually lived a few AIM APRIL

2OO1

evils of Turkish fascism. When

was

reading about the number of casualties of the Karabakh war, my soul cried not just at the numben, but for the beautiful souls who dedicated their lives to ideals we call motherland. The cemetery at Yerablur is the most difflcult place for me to visit when I go to Armenia. Your issue has gven us much intellectual food to digest. All Ican say is that'The CenturyThat Was' was a nice short glimpse of ourselves in the mirror, where I would have liked to see national heroes, dead or alive, in all areas oflife. Angela Barseghinn B everly H ills, Califu mia

BMWs, Women and Genocide

After spotting the January/February 2001 issue in the back seat of my 1990 BMW, my mechanic and I chatted about the genocide. He was curious and asked me some questions about the recognition process. I answered to the best of my ability. It is interesting how our paths cross. It tumed out that our grandparents spent some time in a British military camp in kaq during fte deportations of 1915. His grandfather was the sole survivor of nine siblings and mine, a survivor of eight. Quite amazing: grandchildren of people who lived in the same region, deported south, taking completely different routes through Iraq and han, ending up on San Fernando road chatting about genocide and possible oil leaks on a BMW 325i, in the year 2001. Meanwhile, his German employee, Hans, took a liking to the magazine. He wasveryinterestedin the sectionwith the geno cide photos. I let him have a copy. In return, I got a20fl BMW accessory catalog (note, my car is 1990) and some free tip,s on the condition of my power steering and altemator belts. Once we concluded our discussion on family roob and histrrry we exchanged notes on women I asked him whether he was married. He divulged hismother's wisdom on women and marriage: "dghas, women are like snakes, the best you can do is to find yourself a 'garden snake.' " Of course, I knew this. I was married once. I wont even repeat what his father had to say. But as a hint, it had to do something with the finer species being put on this earth solely to drink a certain red liquid which men normally possess. I knew this too. And no, it's not sangria, nor is it bloody mary. Needless to say, he's not married. Name withheld up on request Nationalism and Faux Nationalism I am unabashedly extremelyproud of

AIM t3

The Fourth Millennium Society is an independently funded and administered public charity committed t0 the dissemination of inlormation for the purpose of developing an informed public, Underpinning all

for two items in your March issue - your edito rial on reckless pre-Key West peace posturing and the interview with Gerard Chaliand-really brilliant and courageous. I hope that the response from the faux nationalists is not too intense. Name withheld upon request

our work

is the

lirm conviction thatthe vitality ofan independent press isfundamental t0

democratic

society in Armenia and democratic institutions in the Diaspora. The Fourth Millennium Society publishes Armenian International Magazine in its effort to contribute to the national dialogue. The directors are grateful to the Benefadors, Trustees, Patrons and Friends ol the Fourth Millennium Society who are committed to the well-being, growth and development ol Armenians and Armenia throuoh the pr0m0tion of open discussion and the free llow of infornEtion among individuals and

organizations, Their financial contributions support the work of the Fourth Millennium Society and Michael Nahabet, Raffi Zinzalian, Directors

ensure the independence of

AlM,

Looking for Answen

Itwaswith greatinterest that Iread Karekin II's response to a question regarding the Armenian Orthodox Church's position on homosexuality. One may simply say that the Vehapar mmpletely failed to answer the question. I hope will stick to what it ought to be doing, that is catering to the spiritual needs of those who choose to

Directorc 2000 Shahen Hairapetian, Armen Hampar, Zaven Khanjian, Michael Nahabet, Alex Sarkissian, Bob Shamlian, Raffi Zinzalian

Benelactors Sarkis Acopian, Albert & Tove Boyajian, The Cafesjian Family Foundation, lnc.

that, under his leadenhip, the church

believe.It also ought toprovide compassion and undentanding to the thousands of memben of is flock who happen to be gay or lesbian. A significant number of Armenians are fortunate enough to live in secular societies where enlightened principles of human rights based on reason and tolerance and not prejudice deter-

mine the socioJegal structure of the world around us. It is high time that the church and indeed the Armenian community worldwide leave certain neanderthal notions regarding the issue of homosexuality behind and finally enter the 21st century. Vasken Tavitian London, United Kingdom

Hirair Hovnanian, The Lincy Foundation, Louise Manooglan Simone

SBnior Trustees AUSTRALIA Heros & Kate Dilanchian CANADA Razmlg Hakimian, Kourken Sarkissian H0NG K0NG Jack Maxian USA CA Armand & Nancy Arabian, Khachig Babayan, George & Flora Dunaians, Armen & Gloriat Hampar,

Araxie M, Haroutinian, George & Grace Kay, Joe & Joyce Stein NY James Tulenkian Rl Papken Janjigian

Founding Truslees AUSTRALIA Varoojan lskenderian USA CA Garen Avedikian, Mardo Kaprielian, Edward l\ilisserllan, Bob Movelt Varoujan Nahabet, Norair 0skanian, Emmy Papazian, Zareh Sarkissian, Raffi Zinzalian FL Hagop Koushakjian PA Zarouhi lVlardikian

Tenth Annivercary C0rporate Sponsors Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Garo Kassabian; Armenian Jewelers'Association; Commerce Casino, Hasmik Mgrdichian; George Tumanian; Grand Tobacco, Hrand & Mikayel Vardanian; ISB Group,

Armen & Ketty Kazandjian; Law 0ffice of Aris Artounians, Aris & Karine Artounians;

Law 0ffices of Ourfalian & 0urtalian, Rafi & Sarkis 0urfalian, NASA Services lnc., Sam & Elizabeth Sarkisian;

Nick & Kamelia Sarklsian; Arsen Sarkisian; Pacific Sales, Jerry Turpanjian; Remax of Glendale, Vahe & Aida Yeghiazarian; Yerevan Hotel

Associate Trustees USA CA Vartkes & Jean Barsam, Walter & Laurel Karabian, Gary & Sossi Kevorkian Nazar & Artemis Nazarian, Ralph & Savey Tufenkian NH Jeannette John

Patrons

Editorts Addendam Armeninn Church (Cover Story, March 2001) should have included a church in Khartoum, Sudan. The map entitled the Geography of the

Karabakh's GDP nday b 59 millbn dollars, not 59 dollars, as indicated in Bytes, December 2000.

ARMEIIIA

Berj & Hera Boyajian

Hratch & Helga Sarkis

Khachalur & Eouzarna Soukiassian

Hagop & Violet Dakessian

AUSTRATIA

Caro & 0iyana Danielian

Alex Sarkissian Boberl & Helen Shamlian

Arman & Nairi Derderyan Arlin Elmekjian

Ardash & Marian Derderian

Dimitri & Tarnara Dimilri Sleve & Lucille Esiephanian

George & Va(ouhi Tavoukjian

Manoushag Fermanian

lllack Vahanian

& Garine

Taqlyan

Ara & Avedis Tavitian Gaidzag

& Dzovig Zeitlian

Anonymous

Gaoik & Knar Galstian

Mihran & Elizabeth Agbabian

CANAOA

Vahan & Audrey Greqor

usA c0ililEcTrcuT

Pietre & Alice Halg

Louis T. Hagopian

Shahen & i,4artha Haroulunian

usa MAssacHussfls

Louise Aanavour Gerair

Sun Plastics, lnc. Petros

Elise Dervishian

Arpiar & Hermine Janoyan z. Greg Kahwajian Jack & Maro Kalaydjian Kevork & Salenig Kamjerjian Nishant & Sona Kazazian Kirk & Ann Kesapyan John & Bose Ketchoyan Zaven & Sona Khanjian

[Iiqirdic & An] lVigirdicyan Soqhomon & Arpiar Sakrya & Families CYPNUS

Garo Keheyan ISRAEL

Adrine Karakashian ITAIY

Krikor & Haroul lstanbulian

Kevork Atinizian Richard Simonian

usA illcHtcAil George Chamchikian Edgar & Sarah Hagopian Alex Manoogiant Kirakos Vapurciyan USA TIEVAOA

LEBATION

Krikor Krikorian

Larry & Seda Barnes

Kevork Bouladian

USA I{EW JEBSEY

UAE

Julie Kulhanjian & Roger Sirauch Louis & Grac" Kurkjian

Razmik A. Tatevossian

Dora Serviarian Kuhn

l\4argaret Chantikiant USA IIEW YORX

UI{ITED XII{GDOM

Avik Mahdesiant

M. Michael Ansour

Diran & Suzi Chakelian

Stepan & Erdjanik lvlarkarian

Harry & Aida Koundakjian

usA callt0nmA Nlihran & E|zabeih Agbabian

Harout & Rila lvlesrobian

Nancy Kricorian

Edward & Alice Navasargian

Vahe Nishaniant V John & Lucille G. Sarkissian

Garabed Akpolal

Armand 0. Norehad

Hatry & Alvart Barseghian Aram & Ierez Basseniafl

Kenneth & Cindy Norian Rali 0urlalian

oani'l Behesnilian

lvlichael & Hermine Piranian

Harout Topsacalian USA U{ASHIIIGTO]I

Earry & lvlargaret Zorthian

Friends of Allll Ihe Fourlh l!!illennium Society is gratelui to the l0llowing i0r contribuling during the lasl month to ensure AlMs linancial independence uSACAAraxDavidian,Eleanoroickranian M0HaikBiglari MlKrikorSogoian l{JNersesAynilian l{YEdwardNoroian The Fouilh

tlillennium Society is gratelul to

lie

lollowing individuals lor donaling Bquipmenl or lulds lowards

All['s ]â&#x201A;ŹsourcGc. CAI{AoA Joe Yalkezian USA CA Aoonymous, [ric Hacopian, Greo and Helene Haroulinian, Hrayr and Zaroug Kabakian, HratchandCar0lKouyoumdjian,lsabelleMelkesian ilJA.NurhanBecidyan,RailiDemerjian the purchase ol equipment l0 updato

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A Story with a Message Remembering it, Feeling it and Still Going Beyond the Genocide Eighty-six years after the beginning of the Armenian Genocide in Tirrkey, Adam Bagdasarian (see page 54), Nancy Kricorian, Peter Balakian, Atom Egoyan * the grandchildren of survivors - are telling and re-telling the grim stories of death and the miraculous stories of survival. These are stories that the survivors' children could not find the voice, or the strength, to tell. The grandchildren are using the benefit of distance and time to recreate the familiar narratives. But they are telling them not in the ways the survivors themselves told their tales of horror. They are telling them forcefully but with naturalness and accessibility and making it easy for all the world to hear. All told, this new class of novels, short stories, screenplays, theatrical pieces and memoirs doesnt exceed several dozen. But what it Iacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality. The stories are bold and beautiful. And they confidently lay out the specifics of the Armenian experience safe in the cynical knowledge that genocide is notjust an

Armenian story.

Beyond the confldence, the Adam Bagdasarian generation of creative writers have demonstrated a willingness to utilize its skill and access - and in his particular case, his artistic legacy - to tell a story that is hard to forget, and harder still to remember. But although these new, young, gutsy storytellers are helping the world remember what it would much rather forget, there is a message in the remembering, too. "The important thing for Armenians is to remember that it happened, to feel that it happened, and go beyond that it had happened," is how Bagdasarian puts it. The message of April 24 -86 years later is just that: to recognize the place and space the Genocide occupies in the psyches and behavior of all the direct and indirect descendants of the survivors, to continue to keep the memories alive, but to go beyond. The memory has to be turned into an instrument of good, a tool for spreading the message of survival. What Adam Bagdasarian preaches, he practices. Now it remains r for those to who read his work to practice his mantra as well.

Man's Inhumanity to Man, How lJnfortunate lsrael's Foreign Minister is Unfortunately Playing Games Shimon Peres and his government believe that Armenia and the Armenians need not be reckoned with in their foreign policy calculations. Armenians - especially those of the Diaspora - need to prove him wrong. Peres pronounced with audacity (see page 18) - and did not retract - that which happened to the Armenians at the beginning of the last century was "unfortunate" but not similar to the Jewish Holocaust. Relations between any two countries are not based on a single issue. Armenia and Israel have much more to discuss than Israel's

unfortunate foreign policy tactics. The potential detachment of Jerusalem's Armenian Quarter from the rest of the Christian quarters and its attachment to the Jewish Quarter is just one of the many immediate, sensitive issues on the two states' agendas. Such detachment is not what Armenians or Armenia want, and Yerevan will have

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to be ready to argue that position convincingly. This is just one example. There are others. Therefore, Armenia cannot use all its political capital to denounce the Peres statement and the Peres position. The Diaspora's indignance can be much more obvious. The Diaspora can reinforce the thoughtful, def,ant counter-statements of Israeli public intellectuals with similar courageous, noble,

exemplary public declarations, linking the best of the ArmenianJewish experiences and building a consensus around them. The Foreign Minister of Israel, and his government, have simply diminished the definition of Holocaust, and its relevance to the human experience, by once again, isolating it as a special category a thing apart. It is up to Armenians to use the world stage to loudly proclaim the universality of man's inhumanity to man - without passr ing judgement on others'

suffering.

or email. lnclude your complete address, phone/fax and email information. telters t0 the Editor must fu or email. Letters may be edited for space and clarity. 0lher People's Mail Have

include writeds name, address and daytime phone number, and should be sent via mail,

anonymity. Special lssues lourism in Armenia (AlM May 1999) is a unique and inlormative guide to help you navigate your trip to Armenia. Our extensive coverage and inforRemember t0 indicate the month and year ol the issue. 0r if a specific article is what you?e looking lor, AIM will favJmail you a copy. All back issue orders must be prepaid. ($3.90 plus S&H) Services AlMarketplace is the place to go for political, economic, art and cultural publications, original music and videos, as well as exclusive hand-made Armenian gifts for birthdays, graduations and holidays. AIM Creatiue Seryices will help you wilh your communication, designs, logos and advertising. AIM will create a marketable image and develop product and name recognition ideas, while providing creative insight and consulting services to your organization. AIM Photo Atthives Have you fallen in love with a picture in the maguine? Do you need a compilation ol pictures dealing with a specific topic? AIM's extensive photo archive is at your disposal. Ph0t0 fees vary and copyright laws and regulations apply, AIM Advertising With a readership of over 40,000 in 80 countries, AIM offers unique advertising opportunities for your product and company. Altl 207 South Brand Boulevard, Suite 203 Glendale, California 91204 USA.1.888.SEN0.41M.1.818.246.0088 Fax. AlMagazine@aol.com

AIM APRIL

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Peace with a Purpose Looking Is the peace process all process? Is peace itself attainable or just a goal post at the end of a path that will keep getting longer? Much of the answer to this depends on momentum, the authority of leaders and the creation of a climate of inevitability. The Karabakh peace process moves on (see page 22.) The momentum has been created by the continuing meetings between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The ongoing involvement of the three presidents of the Minsk co-chair countries - France, Russia and the US - could be cause for concern, or comfort. They each have interests, after all, which do not necessarily coincide with the longterm interests of Armenia or Armenians. Still, it appears that at this historical juncture, there is a conflagration of interests: Armenia wants peace and stability in order to develop and strengthen its statehood and its people. Azerbaijan wants peace and stability in order to develop and strengthen its statehood and its people AND to assure a smooth transition of power from President Aliyev to his son. The US wants peace and stability in the region to enable greater economic gains for American corporations, greater regional access for its ally Tirkey, and reduced political leverage for its sometimeadversary Russia. Russia wants peace and stability in the South Caucasus in order to reduce the political clout of the US, and to decrease Azerbaijan's and others'meddling in the messy situation in the North Caucasus. France wants others to see it as the leader it wishes to be in Europe, and wants to be the primary European presence in the oil-rich Caucasus. For Armenians, the peace process must include the difficult recognition that their quest to secure their homeland can't be founded on the

displacement of another people from theirs. Accepting the retum of occupied lands and refugees is morally right and politically prudent. With refugees away from camps and back in their villages, they also cease to be

political pawns whose numben are used against Armenians.

For the Azerbaijanis, the peace process must be rooted in the (somewhat belated) realization that these negotiations are taking place in 2001 and not 1991, that much has changed during this last decade, and that their coveted territorial integrity cannot be reason to deny another people a peaceful, productive life under conditions of their own choosing. There may be no agreement yet, but there can be no return to open hostilities either. Instead, they must keep talking until they've reached an agreement that is fair and that will last. The momentum is there. In order for such an agreement to meet the kind of acceptance that will be needed from the subject populations, it is important for Armenia's current leaders 1s rrlilize their authority and reinforce the

climate of inevitability. It doesn't hurt to remember that the former authorities had not done so. Their Arab and Jewish colleagues at Camp David (ust about a year ago) had not done so, either. And in both cases, the deals blew up in their faces. Someone must prepare the peoples of Armenia and Azerbaijan for the inevitable. Explanations, rationale, points of departure and altematives, will have to be explained in order for those who are going to live with the deals to understand how those making the deals arrived at their conclusions. Otherwise, peace acceptance process may take as long as has the search

AIM APRIL

2OO1

for

peace.

NOTEBOOK

I.We reiect attempts to create a similarity between the Holocaust and the Amenian allegations. l{othing similar to the Holocausl occurred. lt is a tragedy what the Armenians went through but not a genocide.

-lsrael i Foreign Mi nister Shi mon Peres' statement which appeared inlheTurkish Daily Newsprior to a visit to Turkey in March

IIThis week we Gommemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. 0n this day, we will demand ol the world, and justly so, not to lorget. A lew days later the Armenians will hold lheir Memorial Day. Again this year they will feel alone, maybe euen more than ever. Our hearts are closed to the sullering ol otherc. D -author

of The Banatity 0t tndifference

Zionism and the

^*-;*"iffi?il

rr I seems that because of your wishes to advance very imponail relations with Turkey, you haue been prepared to circumvent lhe subject of the Armenian genocide in 1915-1920... it may be that in your broad percpective ol the needs ol the state of lsrael, it is your obligation to circumvent and desist lrom bringing up the subject with Turkey, but, as a Jew and an lsraeli, I am ashamed of the extenl to which you have now entered into the range of actual denial ol the Armenian genocide, comparable to denials ol the Holocaust. ,, executive direcror or rhe I nstitute on the Hotocaust an,

il|;lif

Lq[XtlJ

(I I have not made these many miles of a trip to Florida to try this propaganda campaign here or to

"''J:,';,: ll,illliJ;1;sll

llAzerbaijan is the nation in this region whose interests most closely parallelthose ol the U$. lt is a nation that desires to be close to America.

''1TB?ff fl?:;;i:)f;-tli:#i:, II Until Armenia arrives at an understanding with Azerbaiian, it won't develop economically. And the Diaspora that they rely on won't give lhem the aid that they expect and need. Duilng President Kocharian's recent visit to the US, he asked lor help lrom the Armenian Diaspora, but they were uery cold to him. The Armenian mass media wrote aboul it. The Diaspora advised the President to create order in Armenia lirst and to take advantage ol Armenia's resources. ,, -Vilayat Guliyev

*",oE';::,;;'n;l::;:,;;:,'^?:|y#fr

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IlThe Armenian population has always emigrated. We have a survey lrom 1971 when 70,000 people lrom Yerevan emigrated every March and returned in October. This is nothing new, and we have had a Diaspora in lndia

since the 11th century.

0l cource, now it is becoming

a serious problem, but we haye to stop ourselves from

emotionalizing this reality.

Hrnr*,snxrla?

20-minute slatement by tuerbaijans President Aliyev

-Lyudmila Harutyunyan,

rrAs long as the problem ol NK [Nagorno-Karabakh] exists, neither the Armenian Diaspora nor other loreign inyestors will take Armenia or Azerbaijan seriously.

Sociotosisr

I am 120 percent sure that there won't be any more fighting.

Ministerof ForeignAffairs, Repubticof Azer

tl lgor Sergeyev

MilaninAarbaijn^o*,r*,r-J))fr!fr,R:l'ydX

Russian Defense Minister

$auinu Jeuus Second generation Bulgarian-Armenian, Apo Benlian,34, who grew up under Communism, recounts the experiences of his grandparents prior to Communism. His grandmother Meline Garabedian (deceased) had come to Bulgaria from Konya

against the Germans, and was awarded seven high military medals for his services.

after her lawyer father was killed by the Turks during the WWI Armenian genocide.

After the Communist takeover in 19,14, he was ordained a priest, renamed Father

During WWll, Garabedian hid a Jewish family in the cellar of her grocery shop in Sofia to protect them, as Bulgaria was an ally of Germany (But, Bulgaria refused to hand its Jewish population to the Germans). She made crosses for each of the

Karekin, and served the Armenian community in Sofia until his death in 1987, at the age of 72. ln the 1970s, Father Karekin transfened many old Armenian Bible manuscripts his family had saved lrom Van to Eimiadsin as part of a clever anangement lor "cultural exchange between Bulgaria and Soviet Armenia.

members of the Jewish family and took care of them until the end ol the war. For years aftenrards, Garabedian received letters and souvenirs from lsrael sent by the

Benlian's great-grandparents escaped to Burgas lrom Van in 1907. His grandfather Arshag Garabedian fought in the Bulgarian Tsars army during World War ll

Jews she saved.

-Hratch Tchilingirian

AIM APRIL

2OO1

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NOTEBOOK

I[e last ol thc $unuiuon$ oday, the youngest kving survivor

the

Amenisn Gerwcidc is abofi X) yean oldThey are grandparmts and greot-grandpar survivedthe guncidal days utlw beginning of the 20th cmtwy as lifilc clildreru Over tlu last three derades, many told tlwir stories for pos-

mewla

terity on rudio ape or vi-dco tnpe, in different communitis ond progrwrc around tlu world^ Alagether, some 2,000 recorded hbnries hove been gathered by more thmt half a dozen insdtu-

tbns, including tlte Zoryan Insdwe for Conternporary Armeninn Research ond Docurnentntb4 rtrc Armmian Library wtd Musewnof AmeriA

tltc Anrcnian Assembly, indivilaal historians incfuding Richard Hovannisian and Donald Miller, as wellas

the

Armenian Film Foundation

Only the Zoryan lr*titute attempted to include survivors who lived in Soviet Armenia, however. A few Yerevan-based socinl scientists interviewed and took notes on the stoies of local survivors, but did not tape them. The thousands of child-survivors who came into Eastem Armenia - which soon became the Republic of Armmia-livedin thehuge orphanage in Alexandropol (Gumri.) Today, the number of survivors around. the world has dwindled to a few hundred. Ankin, is annng the last of the survivors living in Armenia

nder an autumn sky, in a corner of Armenia, it's a simple meeting with one of the last survivors of the Genocide. Ankin remembers Van, remembers the troopers, remembers the village. And, she remembers the horror. Thrks and blood, corpses and a desperate escape. Sometimes it seems we've waited too long to hear these against-all-odds survivors.

was Christophe who first met this old,

ageless, woman. He took a somber yet beautiful photo of her. We had gone back to Khor

Virap many times before daring to enter again this poor village house where four generations live under one roof. Our pretext was that we wanted to bring her the photograph, which Christophe had

taken. As everywhere else in Armenia, the door was opened wide to strangers, and we walked in to find her - this grandmother from another world - sitting in her yard, on a cloth of some sort, her hair tied up in a scarf. She was in the same spot as in the photograph taken several months earlier, as if time had 20

AIM APRIL

2OO1

NOTEBOOK

fixed her there.

And the dialog began - although with difficulfy - with this woman of Van, 93 years old, whose local dialect can still be heard in the discrete musicality of her phrases. Her son, standing with us, kept repeating, "Tell them mother, tell theq tell them all that you remember." At her age, all talk is disjointed, reduced to the essential. But it's no less beautiful, no less strong, this improvisation. She is dressed like the women in the old photographs from the lost Armenian lands. I do the calculations in my head. She is about 93 years old, so she was seven years old, maybe eight, at the time of the genocide. Her father was killed by the Kurds. This is the part of the story she tells, and retells, identically each time. A Kurd from a neighboring village enticed her father away to alert him that the next day the Thrks would encircle the village - then killed him as he left town. When the Turks arrived, they were all there, the whole family: Ankin and her mother and a younger brother. They were all deported. What did you see? What did you see, was the question one of us hazarded.

What we saw? Corpses, she said, corpses. They crossed the border into Armenia near the north. The Forgotten World In one of the villages, the survivors decided, among themselves, that the abandoned Tirrkish homes will only go to those families with men. So, for months, Ankin, her mother and brother, slept in the shade of a stable wall. She remembered the young men in the village, and mentioned one, half swallowing his name. During the exodus, he had managed to save a Bible by separating it in two. One haH he had taken with him, the other he had wrapped in a pouch and buried near a river, in a sort of natural hiding place, level with the water. But those souvenirs floated, following some unknown course, until one day, by chance, they came to a stop in this village, at the foot of Ararat, on the other side of a border which had become inaccessible, and behind which she was born. She's finished telling her story. She looks around and sees her great-grandchildren, her daughters-in-law, her garden. "I'm very old now," she says. "But God doesn't seem to want me, although I so much want to die." -Text by Laurence Ritter; Photos by Max Sivaslian

AIM APRIL

2OO1

Focus ol the Month

Looklng lon a Real PeaGB In Florida, Kocharian and Aliyev Continue Negotiations BY SALPI HAROUTINIAN GHAZARIAN

_,:t

t:ir .1i'

&.,",

conflict. As a rcsult, the rnedia hype. especially in thc US, was sreatcr than usual. er,er.r lvith thc LjS-Chincsc crisis brewing over a

ians. and Carey Cavanaugh. of thc LJS, woulcl onlv say that everyone was pleasccl with the progress rnade. Plcased enough. apparently'.

world watchcd with the highest expectations. This meeting of the presidents rvas hosted by the US Secletarv of State Clolin Powell and inciudcr,l 1he participation of the OSCE

clorvned (-hinese planc. At thc cnd of the five-da1, meeting. it was only clear that the presidenls'"vouicl continue to meet. Thc co-chairs had spcnt morc time

that both heads of state were invited to

co-chairs enlrusted lvith nrediating the Kalahakh

with the Azcrbaijanis than with the Armen-

Wffiffi:il"tiit'?ilrlt:

AlN{ APITIL 2O0I

Washington

DC for a quick visit

with

President Bush.

Back horne. the rhetoric in Armenia was rnilder than the rheturic in Azcrbaijan. where

just weeks earlier Aliyev had released the

its demands for a more open society. Hundreds

of thousands of refugees continue to be a visible problem for Baku. Aliyev's son, who seems to be the heir apparent, would be saddled with these enoflnous problems which would be difficult, if not impossible, to resolve if there is no lasting solution to the conflict. The shape of such a solution is not the subject of any public discussions. Although nothing more has been said about the possibility of a land swap, there is continuing talk

texts of the previous three OSCE proposals

those rejected by one or both sides. The resultant agitation by the Azerbaijani opposition led Aliyev to call for moderation and contemplation. Observers were reminded of the difficulties Armenian President Levon Ter Petrossian had, when he was ready to compromise on Karabakh and the opposition would have none of it. Aliyer, whose health, at age77, is not stable, also appears ready for serious compromise for the flrst time in this decade-long

struggle. For good reason. Azerbaijan's excessive hopes on an oil-dependent economy have proved slow in fruition Western pressures for reform continue to be applied, even as the opposition is becoming louder in

these Armenian lands will finally be called and the nature of security guarantees that will allow Armenia and Armenians to accept the possibility that this may really be the

beginning of peace in the region. Finally, although the two sides appear to be nearing the time when they will examine yet another proposal to be presented by their three handlers - the US, Russia and France -

there is still a lack of public discussion of peace, its cost and

dividends.

of a transit of

some sort for Azerbaijan through Armenia's southern territories. At the same time, Karabakh's subjugation to Azerbaijan appears to be ancient history and the Lachin corridor is rarely mentioned as part of the returnable territories. The major hurdle to overcome is what AIM APRIL

2OO1

Kocharian boating between negotiations. Top, left to right: Aliyev, Powell, Kocharian during the opening press Gonference. Above, left: Kocharian during his meetang wilh Bush. Above, right Kocharian and Opposite page: President

Aliyev meeting inlormally.

BY JOHN HUGHES

ince 1992, the United States Government

Israel is the only country in the world to regularly receive more US financial aid, per capita, than Armenia. Armenia has regularly been among the top four per capita aid

the expenditure of the funding and we don't actually give money. We provide advisors, we provide training, and sometimes we provide 'aid in kind,' but we don't actually give the countries direct funds. " Nor, as of f,scal year 2000, do the funds to Armenia go for humanitarian purposes, but rather for developing the infrastructure of an independent state struggling to become a

recipients.

demooacy.

has allotted approximately $1.3 billion for assistance to Armenia. Most recently, the US Congress proposed $87.14 million in its 2001 Federal budget.

The perception is that plane loads of money are dumped each year in Yerevan earmarked for programs whose achievements have a hard time living up to expectations if measured simply by bottom-line accounting.

"American aid is carefully controlled," said US Ambassador (to Azerbaijan) Stanley Escudero in Az erbaijan Inumatiltnal Magazine.

"A lot of people think that when it comes to international aid that we just sit down and write a check to the government, and they go carry out the programs. In fact, Israel is the only country in the world for which that level of cooperation resides. "With other countries, we agree on programs, we establish programs, but we control

Where does the money go? Some, to Armenia. Over the last decade, millions of dollars worth of commodities such as fuel, seed, food, medicines and equipment have made their way to Yerevan and the regions. Additionally, special'earmarks'

for pre-determined allocations have gone to reconstruction in the Earthquake Zone ($15 million) and the legalese

American University of Armenia ($10 mil- as much as 60 percent,

lion.) But a lot Where does the money go? Perception aside, where does the money go? The answer is as easy as logging on to a website (www.usaid.gov) where you'll flnd

lists and pie charts and bar graphs

and overviews and comparative studies aimed at accounting for money designated for Armenia.

But read between the graphics to learn that a significant portion of U.S. aid money has a very short journey on a route that bypasses Armenia. A journey from the taxpayer's wallet to US govemment affiliates (advisors, consultants, et.al.), filtered through Congressional mandates that more often reflect good intention than tangible action.

AIM APRIL

2OO1

depending on the program - goes in a circle, feeding the machine that feeds the machine -

the United States Agency for International

Development (USAID). "Much, if not most, of the money allocated by Congres for Armenia never leaves the Beltway," said a staff member of the House Foreigr Operations Subcommittee, referring to the web of highwap generally considered the geographical boundaries of Washingon D.C. This is neither a secret nor deceit, but rather the reality of a system necessarily perpetuating itseH. And a system straddling the requests of justified need with the demands of a con-

Gouen $tony

stituency not always at ease by sending tax dollars to places where reciprocation, in any currency, is unlikely. ln otherwords, US taxpayen might feel better about their generosity toward Armenia or any other foreigr country - if they know America also benefits from the handout. And so USAID policy includes the requirement that aid agents fly on airlines based in the States, purchase equipment made in the States or send seed bought in the States. Never mind if this sometimes means

the commodity is more expensive.

least

US producers and businesses benefit. US foreigr aid comes with a condition that US interests are also being served, overseen by US agencies with US staffs and US salaries. And those conditions don't come cheap. For example, a few years ago when the

US wanted to assist Armenia by putting a Tieasury consultant in Yerevan, the cost was

half a million dollan. That includes travel, housing, local transportation, local schooling children, health maintenance costs ilmong other things. "People may think that's a lot of money for

for

program like that," said a State Department aide, "but you drop all that you're doing and take your family and live in Yerevan, then tell a

me how you feel about it." (Officials who know the system are also those who benefit from it and are understandably reluctant to have their comments attributed. Government employees are, in fact, forbidden to discuss

money matters with the media. Even in Yerevan the influence of Washington bureaucracy reaches to impose a ban against govemment employees commenting on how taxpayer dollars are spent.)

of the funds spent on US-based administration, this is still a useful teaching and training program for Armenian schools. The goal of aid to Armenia, say the mission reports of USAID is to "support the transformation of Armenia into a democracy based on the rule of law and an active civil society that functions on free-market principles, is at peace with its neighbors, is integrated into the world economy, and has the capacity to provide for the welfare of its citizens." It is a message that reaches from one cap-

ital city to the other, where

Washington's

intent is visible in the names of US agencies Dividing up the aid When Junior Achievement of Armenia

on Yerevan office doors. There are at least 43

received a $3.2 million grant, $650,000 went

in Armenia's capital. Each of those has staffs that include local employees who covet the American pay scale, and foreign consultants who sometimes don't covet being in Armenia but don't mind the exchange rates and tax breaks. Other times those foreign consultants turn into some of Armenia's best advocates. After nearly a decade of comparing press release figures with the reality that is the high

back

to the US

offices

in Colorado

for

administrative expenses. Another $25,000 was spent to bring in U.S. consultants to Yerevan to evaluate the program. Still, Junior Achievement is considered one of USAID's success stories and both the Americans and the Armenians are pleased with the program's wide-reaching success in schools. After all, even with nearly one-ffih

AIM APRIL

2OO1

USAlD-affiliated "implementing agencies"

Gouen Stony

cost of offering a handout, some on the receiv-

ing end question the effectiveness of those

U8illl lssistance [y $ecton

doing the giving. Many suspect that aid money, however well-meant in Washington, is subject to comrption and general mismanagement in

2lllll

Yerevan. "The money meant for aid from America ends up financing the high society of Armenia" is a common, if harsh, perception, widely held though hardly substantiated. Planting the Seeds In a country the size of Armenia, $87.14 million is a large pie even when cut into the 43 pieces represented by USAID "implementing agencies." "It's not easy for these agencies to find ways to spend all their money," says the House Subcommittee staff member. This is understandable when one considers the extensive grant applications required by the various institutions, and the inexperience of Armenian organizations in dealing with cumbersome ganting procedures. Still, the money is there to be used and reports submitted to Foreign Operations subcommittees are laced with

Note: There is no humanitarian aid in the 2001 budget.

U8illl lssistance [y

terms such as "confidence-building measures" when explaining how aid money will be spent. Still, there are suc@ss stories are like this one about the Intemational Executive Service Corps, a US based organization similar to the Peace Corps, which utilizes the skills of those

$ecton 1002-2001

at the other end of the career chain, in or near retirement, who can use their skills overseas. Their literature says: "IESC has assisted over 100 Armenian small and medi-

um enterprises, in areas such as

business

planning, finance, management, marketing, exporting. One notable IESC success story was its role in assisting a machine tool company to develop a distributorship in cooperation with a US firm. As a result, the company's sales increased by $300,000. The project

7% Social Soctol

is a model for future partnerships in the industrial sector."

Source: www.usaid, gov/am

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being spent on seed planting in Armenia financing a cotton-farming program, yes, but more typically cultivating self-reliance, a harvest slow in coming.

"One of the key reasons that economic investments are not increasing and, therefore, employment opportunities are not expanding as rapidly as might be hoped is the

perception by potential investors of widespread inequities in enforcement and adjudication

one major aspect of corruption in the

country" says a USAID report. "While combating comrption is likely to be a long-term effort with only gradual and modest successes over the course of USAID's five year strategy timeframe, it is clearly an essential part of expanding employment opportunities and

lessening poverty in Armenia."

Aid from Yerevan Even ifthe cynical perceptions are accurate and only some of money aimed for Armenia

gets there, Armenia's welfare is a matter over which Yerevan has as much influence as Washington, say the experts. A State Depart-

ment staff member in the Office of the US Coordinator for Assistance to the Newly Independent States offered the message more bluntly, "Our aid would be more effective if the Armenian government met us half way. We can't run the country for them." This is true in the case of commodities and other goods and services which are provided to Armenia as part of the aid packages.

What is sent and in what quantities - from upgrading the security of the nuclear power plant with new hardware to assisting with textbook development and procurement - is negotiated between the two governments. The more proactive Armenia is, the more likely it is to receive what it needs and wants. The support of the US is dependent on two things: a strong lobbying community led by the Armenian Assembly and the Armenian National Committee, and the US concern for "security in the region." "Most member of Congress dont know

bull about the conditions and needs of Armenia," said the State Department aide. "Their votes are entirely based on information provided by

lobbyists."

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[hBForuotlerfiaWona Bulgarian-Armenians After the End of Communism TEXT & PHOTOS BY HRATCH TCHITTNGIRIAN

s long as my neighbor is wone,

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problems, a sense of relative wellness might provide temporary comfort. A decade after the fall of Communism, Bulgarian-Armenians describe the current state of their community with both pessimism and hope - and offer many ideas for a preferred future. Unlike Diaspora communities in nonCommunist countries, the Armenian community in Bulgaria (and half a dozen other Eastern bloc countries) was part of the "for-

gotten" diaspora, "Our cultural life was self-supporting

were officially not on the map of the Diaspora,"

explains Bulgaria-born Sevda Sevan,

55,

Armenia's Ambassador in Sof,a. "We only had

informal contacts with Yerevan.

few

Armenian delegations visited Bulgaria, but only with Moscow's approval," she adds.

The establishment of Communism in Bulgaria in 19M was a major blow to the politically and culturally thriving community. "Communism broke the backbone of the community," says Philip Mesrob,71., whose father established the first Armenian school in Sofia in the 1930s.

"In the Soviet-dominated Diaspora, Communism destroyed the communities. We were forced to become Bulgarians without

ethnic or national distinction. We lost our ability to think Armenian," laments Mesrob, who established the Contemporary Armenian History Club in Sofia in 191, to do some local

lobbying. The Armenians, like other minorities in Bulgaria, including the large Turkish and Roma communities, are not allowed to have political parties. During the Communist years, the Armen-

ian Apostolic Church was permitted to remain functional. The Bulgarian state even allocated annual funds for the functioning of the church, and paid clergy's salaries.

Mesrobuhi Tankaranian, author of an unpublished volume called History of Armenian Schools in Bulgaria writes, "In 196L, all Armenian schools were closed by a govern-

Armenian Church and community cenler in Plovdiv.

ment decree and students were ordered to AIM APRIL

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Gonnections

attend Bulgarian state schools where Armenian language would be taught after regular school hours." However, since the end of Communism a decade ago, the community has started to restore its institutional life. Virtually all organizations that had been closed have been reestablished, including the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), the Armenian Relief Society (ARS), the Hamazkayin Cultural Association, the Homenetmen sports club. But, unlike other Diaspora communities where rivalries among organizations are rampant, in Bulgaria there is close cooperation among the various "ideologically" divergent organizations.

"We don't have problems with each other, we support each other's functions. This is the norm in this community," says Onnik Panikian, 24-year-old law student and executive member of AGBU Sof,a chapter. His mother is a member of Homenetmen.

"We all have very good relations with each other and work in harmony," concurs Sheni Papazian, Chairwoman of the ARS. And Sonia Avakian Bedrossian, AGBU chairwoman, adds, "We are a very small community and cannot afford fighting with each other. In fact, there are people who are memben of three organizations: AGBU, ARS, Yerevan Association; this happens often. The youth, especially, don't see a difference," she continues.

Ambassador Sevan explains that as all political parties were shut down during

Communism, "the ideological differences among the members of the community diminished." Through the decades, "People from all backgrounds had come to view things from

than a narrow political or party perspective," she adds. "In a twisted way, Communism brought adds Vartanush Topakbashian, together," us editor of the bilingual YerevanWeekly,established in 1944. "Communism forced us to unite under one organization, the Yerevan Cultural Association." It was funded by the Communist Party. Still, the suffering caused by the Communists is not forgotten. "Armenian Communists betrayed other Armenians," says Topakbashian. "Until now, Dashnaks and ARF-sympathizers have not forgotten those who were persecuted and suffered heavily," she says. Today, the Bulgarian-Armenian community faces daunting problems, especially emia wider pan-Armenian perspective

gration and assimilation. Added to these already complex issues, is the presence of tens of thousands of citizens of Armenia who have settled in Bulgaria since the early 1990s.

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New Divisions When asked about the size of the community in Bulgaria, everyone. without exception, gives two distinct numbers for the community's two halves: 12,000 for the older community of Bulgarian-Armenians and 4050,fi)0 for the recent immigrants from Armenia.

Discussions revolve around "us" and "them" - the ''locals" versus the "newcomers," the "Diasporirns" versus the " Hayastantsis." "The local Armenians don't help the new immigrants, and the new immigrants are not in a position to help each other," says Artur

Nadosian, a 23-year-old singer-entertainer who came from Yerevan when he was 18. He got married in Bulgaria and will socln become a ctti'zen. The Yerevan tiicnds he had stayed with when he arrived in Solia have all gone back to Armenia or moved clsewhere. Apo Benlian, 34, a Sofia lawyer who helped new immigrants

for several years,

explains that in the beginning they came fbr business opportunities.

"With

a $ 10.000 invest-

ment. Armenian citizens could receive legal

status

Bulgaria. But many applied

refugees for lack of rnoney," he says. "In those years, the Armenian community helped a lot, but wl.ren problems started

Gemlik, Turkey, after the Genocide.

"When I was growing up, my grandmother used to weave carpets with different motifs, tbr home use and to give them as gifts. I grew up with these images. My early memory of these images and colors are reflected in my paintings as well. Later on I studied Armenian kilims and carpets from Cappadocia and Anatolia," says Sarkissian, explaining the Armenian roots of his paintings. "I want to express the passing of time, and that, ultimately, culture becomes universal not particular," explains Sarkissian, adding that he experiments with different materials and iove. using uutiort media which give a sense of time. "I do commercial art as well," he adds, "to make a living. The income helps me do what I really want to do." Sarkissian did the paintings for Holly,vood's adaptation of Oscar Wilde's "Varieties of Madness." His cartoons and drawings are regularly featured in Metropolis magazine, a glossy Bulgarian monthly. But Sarkissian's passion remains his attempt to create "a new script for a new discourse on culture, universal culture." Commercial and Artistic success "Silk is my monopoly," says a confident Garo Mouradian,44. On his 40th birthday his silk paintings were exhibited in Brussels and Vienna. "You need special paint for silk and you cannot make mistakes" he explains. "Oilbased paints have a mechanical connection with the canvas, but silk has a chemical link, and that is why it can preserve the vibrancy of the colors for centuries. This is a very interesting technology that has been used for thousands of years." He explains that working with silk also affects the composition of a painting, "because light reflects differently on silk than on canvas and has a different texture and look." The influence of Martiros Saryan is apparent in Mouradian's paintings. "The color temperament in my works is Armenian," he affirms. Mouradian, who also teaches at the Sofla Art College, sees first hand the affects of a

TFffiH f- ":i;ry

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Buried side by side:

Krislapor Mikaelian, 1859'1905,

One of the lhree lounder of the Armenian

Revolutionary Federation. Vramshabuh Kendirian, 1870-1905, Krislapor's comrade in arms. Both wele killed by accidental bomb explosi0n during military training in Vitusha mountains near Solia. Buried in Solia's Central Cemetary, Ally No. 52. Note, lhe plaque on Krislapor's t0mbstone has been vandalized.

'll*'*,*,*qO.

AIM APRIL

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'l*jre

Balkan region, go back to the ffih century. Byzantine emperors deployed Armenian military units in the northern frontiers of the empire in order to protect their domain from

frequent hostile attacks. More Armenians were voluntarily and involuntarily settled here between the sixth

and 11th centuries. By the Middle Ages, there was a well-established Armenian community in Plovdiv. However, this first wave gradually assimilated, Ieaving behind churches and names of settlements. Today one still finds place names such as Armenovo, Ermenlii, and Armenite throughout Bulgaria. The serond wave of Armenian settlen -

forcibly removed from Wallachia, Moldova and Crimea, or escaping epidemics, starvation and wars in Eastem andWestem Armenia-came to Bulgaria between the 16th and 17th cenhries. These new settlers established communities in Burgas, Haskovo, Pazardjik, Ruse,

Shumen, Sliven, Sofia, Vama and a dozel other cities. They built churches and schools everywhere they settled and engaged in crafts and trade - goldsmiths, carpenters, tailors, spinners, masons. They even formed their own trade guilds. After Bulgaria's liberation from the Ottomans in 1887, Armenians were granted equal rights with Bulgarians and contributed to building the newly independent state. Such freedom and rights made Bulgaria an

attractive destination

for

thousands of

Armenians living under repressive regimes in other parts of the region. Some 20,000 refugees, mostly from Istanbul and adjacent towns arrived by boat to Varna

and Burgas after the 1894-96 massacres in Western Armenia. Plovdiv's old Armenian neighborhood where lhe church and community cenler are located.

However, the largest wave of refugees c:nrc

such as theft, illegal dealings

- the local com-

munity pulled back," he explains. In the mid-1990s there were up to 56,000 new Armenians in Bulgaria, according to Benlian, "But many of them left for other destinations when the Bulgarian economy slowed down."

Those who stayed started

pings, reminiscent of [,os Angeles, Moscow

or St. Petersburg.

Nevertheless, Arsenian is hopeful. "Now their children, the new generation,

see that

are coming around and integrating with us, especially through the Armenian school."

Plovdiv's newcomers are middle class

organize. They opened their first club in Plovdiv, called the Hayas Club, supported by businessmen from Armenia who provide $200 a month. But so segregated is the community that the editor of one of the local (old{ime) newspapers had not heard about this new center, Eduard Arsenian, 68, a seventh-generation Bulgarian born in Plovdiv, admits, "We do

not associate with each other." Arsenian doesnt explain why, but others mention racketeering and ransom kidnap-

1V22 after the Tiukish-Greek war when,

under Kemal Ataturk, Thrace and Asia Minor were "cleansed" of their Christian population. A smallnumber of survivors of the 1915 Genocide were among these refugees. Some 25,0fi) Armenians came. "The Bulgarian government had decreed that they should be welcomed to Bulgaria," says Sevan. "There was even a law that said

merchants in open-air markets, but there are also a small number of wealthy, successful businessmen. The older community is spread over L5 cities. The newcomers "are even more dispersed," says Ambassador Sevan. Indeed, the history of the Armenian com-

refugees, but with full rights as citizens of Bulgaria. As far as I am aware, Bulgaria is the only country that welcomed the Armenians fleeing Turkey with such a warm embrace,"

munity of Bulgaria is the story of constant

she observes.

movement and settlement.

History

By 1926,the sae of the Armenian community in Bulgaria swelled to 36,000. Indeed, an Armenian, Hovanes Boghosian, founded the

The earliest traces of Armenian settlements in Bulgaria, and generally in the

first carpet-weaving factory in Bulgaria. Armenians also introduced silkworm breed-

AIM APRIL

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Armenians should

not be

viewed

GonnecUons

ing and production, as well as new technolofor the textile, tanning, milling and tobacco industries. In addition, wealthy Armenians, especially from Istanbul, moved their businesses to Bulgaria. They established cooperative banks named Sevan, Asparez in the 1930s in

gies

Sofia and Plovdiv. Many acquired large

farms, largely along the Black Sea coast. Nevertheless, the community consisted

predominantly of refugees who worked in the tobacco industry as cart and carriage drivers, porters and dock workers. Political Activism In the early decades of the 20th century Bulgaria became a major hub of Armenian intellectual and political life. Especially, after the collapse of the first Armenian Republic (1918-1920) many political and public fig-

ures, including writers, doctors, engineers, architects, settled in Bulgaria. Indeed, the Fourth General Assembly of the ARF was held in Sofia. "Bulgaria was the

ARF's most important center," says Mesrob, "where theyplanned and implemented various operations such as the raid on Bank Ottoman, led by Armen Garo." One of the ARF3 three founders, Kristapor Mikaelian, is buried in Sofia. He was killed in

1905 when a bomb accidentally exploded during training for an operation, which targeted Sultan Abdul Hamid for assassination. The fint

:iii

outside Armenia was set up in Bulgaria. During the Balkan Wars in L912, a battalion of 280 Armenian soldiers, headed by ARF leader Garegin Njdeh fought in the Bulgarian army against Turkey. General Andranik

well known

ii'rltl"il. r

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and only Armenian military school

Ozanian, too, was

-r..:-,T: :--l--

istcre com.

within

Bulgarian military circles.

Emigration Some Armenians had left Bulgaria in the 1960s and headed for the US, Canada and Australia. During the last decade, thousands more have followed them. While acknowledging that with the end of Communism, "Other good things happened, freedom of speech, religion, so on," Benlian says these are not suffcient to make a living.

"Those young Armenian professionals who have the means are leaving," he explains. But he doesn't think leaving is bad. "If a Diaspora Armenian leaves his country of birth or residence, that's not a problem," he continues, "but if an Armenian foom Armenia leaves, that's a problem. The Diaspora is a constantly shifting and moving reality. So it doesnt make much difference where you live. It's

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Gomecthns

there, without clearly defined boundaries."

avid Internet uset Benlian stap oonnected through Arrnenian websites.

But Panikian,

Melkonian graduate, who

unlike most of his generation is fluent in Armenian, is optimistic about the future. "There is work here," he says. "I'm a junior partner in a law firm. Why should I go somewhere else?" In an effort to slow the emigration hend, the AGBU Plovdiv chapter has started a placement service, of sorts. "When a businessman is looking for employees, we encourage him to hire people on our list," sap Arsenian, AGBUvice chainnan. The fiscal strains caused by the economy

affect not just individuals, but community institutions as well. "The financial situation is so bad that the Bulgarian-Armenian mmmunity could not even send a delegate to the fint Amrenia Diaspora Conference in September 1999 because they could not afford to pay for the delegate's airfare," laments Ambassador Sevan.

Even more telling is the community's inability to provide a $150 a month salary to the Primate of the Annenian Diocese of Bulgaria whois also the Primate of the ArmenianDiocese of Romania and resides in Bucharest. Recently, after negotiations with state officials, the Bulgarian government agreed to pay the Primate's salary.

Integration and Assimilation Forthose who stay, eronomicdifficulties are compounded by other sociocultural dynamics. "We have a very large percentage of highly-educated people a o* **1rrnity," says Sevan. "At least in my generation, I would say 6G70 percent are university graduates. And experience shows that highly educated mix more easily with other cultures." As in other societies, whether this is assimilation (and therefore "negative") or integration (and therefore "positive") is hard to say. In any case, the very high percentage of intermarriage is one indicator that this mixing goes on.

"In the past, mixed marriages were high, 99 percent for my generation," says Sevan. Father Kevork Khacherian, parish priest of Plovdiv, points out that 90 percent of the marriages he performs are still mixed. "Unlike in Islamic countries, Bulgaria is a Christian country and we do nothave the safetyvalve of religious differences to prevent assimilation," he says. There are also parochial conventions. "If you say you want an Armenian girlfriend, it

gets very complicated," says Panikian. "People start looking for girls on your behalf

and play matchmaker. Therefore, ith easier to go out with a Bulgarian." Panikian, whose girlfriend is Armenian, says that for most young people, marrying Armenian is desirable but not essential.

Slowly, some community organizations are taking advantage of financial assistance provided by international charitable organizations. [.ast year, one group obtained a grant

to renovate the church hall from a Dutch foundation that helps minorities. More

Diaspora Realities And, as for the future, there is the regular refrain heard in all communities. "I am not optimistic," says septuagenarian Mesrob. "The youth are passive toward all community organizations." But 23-year-old Zari,Zadtkian has a different view. 'The old generation was divided and fighting. The old men in the organizations chased the youth away from the community," explains the law student. And elderly males continue to serve on executive bodies, positions they've held for decades. "The old men are dead against having any young person on their committees. They always talk about youth involvement in community affairs, but what they do is exactly the opposite," says an activist. So, the youth are taking matters into their own hands. "We rigged the ballots at last year's church council election in Sofia to have one youngperson,30 years old, become a member," he explains with an apparent sense of victory. "The youth want to be independent, they go to AGBU, Homenetmen or ARS camps

without differentiation," adds AGBU's Bedrossian. Indeed, young Armenians tend to organize their own outings and social events without involving the established community organizations. Ambassador Sevan admits that the future of the youth in Bulgaria "is not pleasant." She explains that highly-educated young Armenians 'ohave very few chances to get together with other Armenians as there are

no community programs or events that enhance their acquaintance with Armenian culture and issues." And, as elsewhere in the Diaspora, young people's ideas about involvement are different. They think they need to get involved in lobbying. "The elders tell us not to rock the boat," says Panikian, who wants to pursue Genocide recogmtion and the opportunity to utilize radio and television. He alsopoints out thatthe communityis far too slow in tapping available resources, such as Armenians in high public positions who don't get involved in the community. He mentions Melkon Melkonian, the Mce President of the Bulgarian Supreme Court, Dilaan Tebeyan, a

high-ranking official in the Ministry of I-abor and Social Security and Kevork Kevorkian, the "Larry King of Bulgaria."

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recently, an Information Center was estab-

lished in the community building in Sofia, also funded by a Dutch organization.

But non-Armenians dont

see these

inter-

nal issues. "Armenians are pleasant, they have a good attitude towards the arts and culture. They don't have pretensions towards politics," comments TV journalist Stanyela

Bedrinova, adding that "Armenians help themselves; they don't need any support; they are very friendly." Coming lbgether Bedrinova may be right. The community has slowly started to consolidate its resources and efforts. While still financially strapped, in 1.995 a new "unifying" institution was created: the Coordinating Council of the Armenian Community in Bulgaria, consisting of representatives of all 12 orgataations in Sofia. The Coordinating Council has a six-month rotating presidency, held by a representative of each participating organization, and addresses community-wide issues and problems. The Council has coordinated celebrations of Armenian national holidays and has acted as a unified representative of the Armenian mmmunity before the Bulgarian government.

In 1998, the C-ouncil held separate meetings with PresidentPetr Stoyanou and Prime Minster Ivan Kostov and presented a number of community concerns and issues to the goverffnent, including education fees, lack

Armenian

teachers in state schools, and Armenia-Bulgaria

In December 1999, a group of Armenian-Bulgarians accompanied President relations.

Stoyanou on hisstatevisit to AmeniaAs a result of such coordination, the gov-

ernment recently allocated land for a cathedral in Sofia on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of adoption of Christianity in Armenia. (Father Khacherian says that the

mmmunity will rely on Bulgarian-Armenians living in the US for donations.)

"Knowing the history and past experience of the Bulgarian-Armenian community,

every little achievement is a miracle," says Ambassador Sevan. "This was the most repressed community under Communism in the Diaspora. This community, its schools and institutions, and its national life were completely wrecked. And now when it is living a new renaissance, I only rejoice," she says,

smiling.

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TEXT

PHOTOS BY ARMINEH JOHAilT.IES

rlhe crowd gathers in Paris' Republic I Sorrr." waiiins for the Heart Trucks to L,iu" and disf,ibute food to the waiting Algerians, Africans, Albanians, Birmans, Indians,

T[rks and

Armenians. C.oluche, a French actor-comedian, introduced these Heart Tiucls in response to the increasing number of homeless people. He also launched Heart Restaurants where the poor and homeless can eat a free hot meal daily. Russians, Chinese,

Republic Square, new Armenian

immigrants meet each other, and exchange information. Many are here with entire families; they are all well dressed and stand out from the rest of the crowd. Some are ashamed to be seen here. "Look at us - we have all lost our pride and dignity and are reduced to eating with the homeless and drunkards, pushing or getting pushed in order to get some food," one says. In Belgium, Germany and Holland, seeking asylum is a bit easier. In France, it requires a minimum of one year to process political asy-

lum seekers. ln 1999,272 Armenians from Armenia applied to the OFPRA (French Office for the hotection of Refugees) seeking

political asylum. Thirty-seven of them got lucky and obtained refugee status. The remainder, 83

percent, was rejected. Following an appeal, those who are refised again either become illegal residents, or they go to another country to try their luck there. However, if they are caught for not having legal residency, they may be deported to Armenia. Because they fear rejection, some immigrants prefer not to file for political asylum, but remain clandestine and try to find work unofficially. By the end of 1999, the total number of official Armenian refugees in France had reached 441. Those who obtain political asylum often possess Russian, Georgian or even Azerbaijani passports.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, between 1992 and 1998, more than 36,000 Armenians filed for political asylum in Europe, and in 1999 the number of asylum seekers doubled from the year before. Ashot, his wife l,ala and their three children

arrived in Paris ages four, nine and 16 eight months ago. "We paid $9,000 to a passer

AIM APRIL

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to bring us to Germany where we had lived before being deported three years ago. This time,we took abus toTirrkey, then from there, our passer put us in the back of a truck, togeth-

er with another family who wanted to go to Holland, and they drove us to Paris. We had no visas. Our passer dropped us off at a train station in Paris and asked us to wait for his colleague to come and fetch us and take us to Germany. It was the middle of January and very cold - we stood around the station for hours but the second passer never came. Then, an Algerian, who had noticed us, came to our rescue - he called the govemment social services who came and brought us to this hotel where we've lived since," says Ashot. It's a small and rather shabby hotel, where they have two rooms, each costing about $50. The rooms are paid for by a French social service organization. Lala fries sausages on a small gas stove for the children's breakfast. A small table is set up next to the beds. The same tiny window that lets the sausage smell out brings in the voices of people talking in Arabic. Boxes, tucked under beds, contain clothing and

some toys. Some bread and food cans are stocked in a large brown cardboard box. This is all the family possesses. Ashot is impatient to talk. He lights up a cigarette and starts listing his grievances. "The reason we left Armenia is political

how can you live in a country where they

assassinate the Prime Minister. The increasing number of people living Armenia proves that the political leaders of Armenia do not think about the well-being of the population. There are no human rights. People are treated badly and crushed by the leaders. I wanted to live like a man and a human being, and I could no longer tolerate corruption and the political mafla in the country. To leave one's homeland is not a good thing, but staying had become impossible for us. We stayed during the dfficult years when we had practically no electricity and water, we had hope that the country would become democratic with rules and regulations, but today all those hopes are lost and the only solution is to leave the

country. pension

A retired person with a monthly of 3700 Drams has just enough

money to buy bread. He cannot pay his elec-

tricity bill or buy other goods - so how is this supposed to work out? The situation in which we live today, here in France, is a thousand times better than how we were living in Armenia. At least here, we have hope that one day, our children will live well. The only solution for preventing people from leaving is that the Diaspora pressures the Armenian government and forces them to apply laws," concludes Ashot. In the summer, when it seems all of France is'en vacances'the Heart Restaurants, too, temporarily close. A number of church halls

take up the distribution. Ashot, Lala and their youngest daughter take the bus and arrive at St. Joseph des Epinettes Church in Paris' 18th district to pick up a food parcel consisting of canned food, bread, milk, pasta, rice, and chocolate. A long queue forms in front ofthe church every day -you hear people talking in Russian, Turkish, Arabic, Armenian. Amongst them is Susan, a young Armenian woman carrying a baby boy. "I am from Spitak. I lost my husband last year and things got so bad that I could no longer stay there. I have been here for three months, I've fiIed

AIM APRIL

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for political asylum and I'm very glad I made the choice to leave Armenia," admits Susan. Every adult asylum seeker is entitled to receive one-time aid of approximately $300, plus $80 for each child. Ashot and his family live on 1700FF a month ($250), a subsidy paid by the French unemployment beneflts office to every adult in the family for one year. Some asylum seekers try to flnd temporary work, although that's illegal - mainly in the construction sec-

tor. Ashot had found some temporary

employment as a painter, and with the money he had earned, he had taken his family to

Euro Disney.

general,

the Armenian mmmunity in

France has adopted a negative attitude towards

these immigrants. Ashot repeats the old refrain: "They tell us why have you abandoned your county to come here. And I tell them just go and live there and you will know why." Community organizations have been overwhetned by the large numbers of those seeking help. "The Coordination Committee for Social Aid in France, formed by the collaboration of AGBU, The Blue Cross (the

Armenian Relief Society in France), the Armen-

ian Apostolic Church and the Armenian social aid services has been helping the newcomers for the past eight years. "But with the increasing number of aid seekers, it has become impossible for us to meet the needs of these people. In March 2000, we had already used the whole year's budget of $20,000," said Nazeli Fourtune, the President of the Blue Cross. The average amount of aid

provided by the Committee was approximately $40 per family. In 1999,l9l families received this sum from the Committee. "They think that they have found a rich haven. To them, 'the grass seems always greener on the other side.'Many come with the attitude that they are entitled to receive aid from us. They say, 'Give us the money you collected for us during the earthquake.' We are unable to meet their financial needs. Besides, we do not wish to encourage emigration," affirms Nazeli.

The Armenian Evangelical Church in Paris provides asylum seekers with interpreters. "We also help find suitable lodging, and provide a little flnancial aid, food parcels and metro tickets," explains Sylvie Leonian, the Pastor's wife. "We have managed to lodge a number of families in Russian centers and there is even one family in a Jewish center. Their major handicap is that they do not speak the language and need assistance with paper work. They are also in need of company and emotional support. We cannot ignore

their presence. We have to help them feel at ease and not rejected by the Armenian community," explains [.eonian. Some foreign organizations in Paris, such as the Russian Tolstoi Foundation, help them draft their application for political asylum in French. They also provide financial assistance if necessary.

All asylum seekers in France benefit from free medical care and hospitalization if their monthly income does not exceed $700perperson. Clothing is provided by various nonprofit organizations. The desperate situation of many immigrants has also mobilized some to provide volunteer help out of a pure sense of concem. "We have formed a group of volunteers who help them translate their papers, introduce them to certffied translators, help those who need to be hospitalized, and inform them about the social assistance to which they are entitled and how they can claim them," says Nicole Hantcherian, a school teacher. But the numberof people leavingArmenia and the kinds of crises just keep growing. In May 2000, over 60 people came in three buses from Italy. They stopped in the city of Lyon, France, to spend the night. They had a group tourist visa for Italy only, and even that was illegally obtained from passers in Ukaine, where their joumey had begun. The bus drivers and their Rusian guides did not return in

the morning. The 60 travelers

dispersed

throughout the city and were soon noticed by AIM APRIL

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the local police and taken to Mont Luc jail, which is famous for being the Gestapo headquarters for torture during World War II. They flnt pretended to be tourists. When they realized that they would be retumed to Italy which was their initial destination but where they had been refused residence - they requested political asylum in France. The Armenian Embassy in Paris is inundated with daily requests for help. And not just from those who have arrived in France. "We were recently contacted by the police in

Spain - as there is no active Armenian Embassy in Spain - that a number of Armenian citizens, who had arrived there, were going to be deported. Spain is estimated to have between 15,000 to 40,000 Armenian immigrants," said a diplomat who did not wish his name used. Not all requests for help have to do with asylum. "We also have some come to us to ask for financial assistance in order to buy a plane ticket to return home," says the diplomat. "Maybe when they go back, they can help us by informing people that they should not expect this to be paradise. Armenians think that the Diaspora is very rich and can help them. But the Armenian associations do not have such aid possibilities," he adds. "Sometimes, they go to the Armenian church directIy from the airport." And as a priest at the church said, "Whenever we help someone, an hour later, we are literally bombarded with calls andvisits by other asylumseekers." r

r\let *ilE:NE

AIM's Millelilum-Dinner $eries, featuring art,and oulture,.bu$,ineSs,and hw,,poliiicsand,. media, was launched,in,"l999 wlth,gr,e succe$s",Each evrnt brings,to li{e,the stories'AfM'' covers every month by allowing readers to experience opinions and analysis, engage in dialogue

Monday, May 21, 2001

Euzmik lllurtirnrsiun

- lllinister ol Snriul lllelfurs

Martirossian, appointed in May of 2000, has aggressively pursued social policy benefiting Armenia's children and society's most vulnerable. He will address issues and policies regarding

adoption, orphanages and the overall social development of Armenia.

Brandview Gollection 109 East Harvard Street Glendale, California 7:30 p.m. Donation $30,00 for AIM subscribers; $35.00 for non-subscribers Reservations required Please call 818.246

.7979

or aimagazine@aol.com

llleet ond EtEEt f,ereplion Tuesday, May 29, 2001

Ihe tree Prers in firmeniu Five editors from major Armenian newspapers will discuss the realities of freedom of the press

and news dissemination in the Republic of Armenia, The editors are 0n a fact-finding US tour

sponsored by ProMedia, a USAID funded pr0gram. ProMedia has been assisting independent print, radio and television media in Central and Eastern Europe since 1995.

No dinner, open admission.

Brandview Gollection 109 East Harvard Street Glendale, Cali{ornia 7:30 p.m. For more information please call 81

8.246.7979

or aimagazine@aol.com

lnts

IheMougment Armenian Musicians on the American Music Scene BY LEVOT{ TOMASSIAI{ ystem of a

Down reminds some of Elvis.

Sure, Serj Tankian is no white southerner, but in the 50's, Elvis took the music industry by storm with a simple formula: He fusedwhite southern counfiry music with black

gospel and rhythm and blues (R&B). White

kids started listening to black music. Disc jockeys and radio stations, spurred on by this growing audience, played more R&B. Elvis, in essence, killed two birds with one

stone. Most obviously, he introduced a new sound. This new sound made black music more appealing to whites by integrating familiar southem country rhythms with less-familiar black styles. His music also confronted the issue of segregation. Elvis became a role model for generations of rebels, practically overnight. System, too, fits this bill. They fused an existing genre of music - hardcore - with their own Armenian sound. They not only introduced a new sound, but also made hardcore music more palatable to Armenians. Even more important, System has unabashedly used its influence to informpeople about the Armen-

who explainedto the audience that Systemwas

the second wave which was considerably

Armenian Genocide. AfterHR596 was withdrawn at the request of former President Clinton last fall, System held a beneflt concert to benefit the Genocide recognition work of the Armenian National Committee of America. As a consequence of System's success, there is the beginning of an Armenian movement on the

more progressive than the first, both musically and in mentality. These newer bands were playmg harder and had a definite interest in getting sigrred by a major recording company. This wasnt just a hobby anymore. Enter Sptem of a Down (www.rystemofudown.com). Although they belonged to the second wave, they set a standard, established a precedent and provoked a third wave. This

protesting

the denial of the

mainstream music scene today.

There are at least two reasons for this. This new generation isn't restrained by old taboos. They haven't forgotten about the Genocide, but they are decades removed from the torment. This has enabled them to be creative without the confinements of earlier generations. Second, the youth in the West is comfortable and has the luxury offocusing on the arts. As far back as the heavy metal era of the 80s, there were Armenian bands that wanted to get a piece of the action: Red Snow and

Angel Heart. Neither band got anywhere,

Slayer in Turkey, System of a Down refused to

but the writing was on the walls. This was a new wave, and no longer just individual Armenians trying their hand at music. More musicians followed suit in the late 80s and early 90s. Notes from the Underground,

go on stage. They sent out a representative

Dante's Deli, and Dirt Merchant were part of

ian Genocide and the Turkish campaign of deniat. On one occasion, while on tour with

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third wave is even more advanced than the last. Stoides in technologyhave made recording, promotion and broader sales more possible than ever before. System of a Down was signed by Sony and this is an enviable fint for the othen. Most of the bands presented here play rock and pop and are from l,os Angeles. System of a Down was bom in l,os Angeles. This, after all, is the recording capital of the world.

r0 nuruwi0lanil.G0m io started in late 1994. Their current line-

lnts

up of Sebu Simonian on keyboard and lead vocal, Sam Babayan on guitar, Narek Pogosyan on bass, and Vigen Sayadian on drums, didn't

take form until May 1997 when the band began recording their first demo. By the sum-

mer of 1998, io began recording their fint CD, released under the record label Stereotrain Records. A year later, they released their third, a three-song recording. Interestingly, all four members have gone

through the drama class and choir experience. As a result, the spotlight for vocals is shared by all of the musicians.

"It would

be a

waste of talent if they didnt sing," admits Sebu. "All four of us share some commonality in our music," he continues, "We all try to compromise, and at the end, different styles of music come forth." The sound ofio is generated by the blending of the members' various musical backgrounds and influences. Their music is very

people with a couple of covers from Metallica and Nirvana. How did the audience respond? "The 1.3-year-old girls seemed to like it," Barreff smiles. He continued to jam with Jack for the

next couple of years. By 1995, Microcosm G.O.D. was formed. Microcosm was Levon Bedrossian (cousin of System's Tankian) on vocals, the Dudukjian brothers Vahag and Haig on bass and guitar respectively, and Yeretsian on drums. Rehearsing out of a garage in Hollywood,

their first show was at the Anti-Club with Down and Snot. Itwas early 1996. After a show at the famous Roxy in West Hollywood, California, they used their ticket eamings for the recording and production of a four-song demo. Within a nine-monthperiod, Microcosm performed 1.2 shows, but broke up in September 1996. "Creative differences" is all Yeretsian

will

say.

Afterthe breakup, Barrett started looking

The estate of painter Pablo Picasso soon contacted them to say that if the band

result of not having a sound. Our music is in a constant state of change. And that is our sound."

pusue the case in court. Given the necessary incentive, Nevermind Picasso became Ukwid

ttltutu.liltuidlriwi.com

for somethingmore local, and found Nevermind Picasso.

didnt alter its name, they would aggressively

Kiwi, with Clint Feddersen, base, Steve Bosin, guitar, Luda C., vocals, and Yeretsian, drums. Barretth cat is named Kiwi. They threw in

Likwid because it sounded sensual and fun. Likwid Kiwi's first show at Mama Gaya's went very well. They hit the recording studio

- Barrett's bedroom Barrett

and began working on a demo. Within three months, they released a 6-song CD called M.O.LS.T One thousand

Yeretsian and friend Jack Armenian performed at a Robert Tchilingirian concert. They opened the show to an audience of 500

copies were produced. "People often say that we sound like No Doubt. I think we did a few months ago," says Barrett. "But we

At the age of 13, drummer

reflect that."

Fneails llllwli,.0amEFGG0nd$.Gllm

System of a

reminiscent of psychedelic rock, such as Pink Floyd and Radiohead. "We don't play mainstream music," says Sebu. "Our music is a

tilrtnliillffuri

have grown so much as a group in the last few months that I believe that we are tapping into a unique space. We call it power funk and ethnic chunk. Our new CD will

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In 1994, three cousins - Zareh Aghajanian on bass, Steve Ohanians on guitar, and Robert Avedissian on vocals

formed Drop. Drop

played whatZareh labels ethnic rock. Since theyhadnodrummer, theywere limited to an acoustic sound. Add Eric Avanian on drums a year later. Change the name to Substance. They played the same music, but went elec-

tric. By 1996, Eric moved to Florida and Steve San Jose, C-alifornia. Fortunately, Ervin Tarkanian came to take over the drums. Later, the addition of Joey Garba as lead gurtarist caused a gradual change in their sound,

pointing them more towards hard rock. While contributing to this band, Joey had another project going on concurrently called Freaks. He asked Zareh to lay down the bass chords and by 1997, bothZareh and Joey left Substance to focus solely on this endeavor. "I left Substance because what we had with Drop was no longer there," confesses Zareh. The other freak is guitarist Mike Bedrossian, who joined the band :ri,t997. Freaks' mission: "To rekindle all that is grand about the lost art form of Rock and

Roll." A universal appeal and wide mar43

lnt$

ketability sets Freaks apart from virtually all other c.ompetition. "The audience relates to our music," says Zareh. "It's really for everybody. This is our asset." In 1998, they released their first demo EP on tape. Over the next year, Freaks worked on getting the word out on their music, playing such venues as The Rory Whisky A GoGo, The Garage and Tloubadour. They also made an appearance at the Summer Solstice Festival. Freaks has opened for notables such as Zebrahead, Lit and the recently signed Hoobustank. A second CD entitled'Sex on the Semnd Floor,' consists of 10 songs and was released the following November on their own label, Game Records. Freaks has begun a campaign to promote themselves to the record industry "We aren't desperate to get sigred, and we'll wait for the right opportunity," says Zareh. "It will be on

our terms."

WaitinU

with his productions. So I approached him about producing my album." There was a big gap between the two, however. Sebu was more established musically whereas Steve was a novice. But their personalities clicked. In came Artag Pogosyan on bass, followed by Zareh Manoukian on guitar, and they were ready to open for io. Waiting On The Roof is a band that isn't interested in sticking to any one style of music. "I'm so against being categorized as a

particular type of musician. I listen to rock, pop, and electronic music. I'm not just talking about mixing hip-hop and rock throughout the album, but having a different sound on each song of that album. We are currently trying to incorporate a semi-country sound, and reggae, too." Waiting On The Roof currently has a 5-song CD. Steve is also very concerned about songis dying. The

the Rolling Stones survive the test of time because their music is driven by songwriting.

lllltllllll,.wailinm[fi E[llll[. Gllm

Good songwriting is not affected by trend shifts." According to Steve, System will

play.

the actors, Sebu Simonian is the director, and Steve is the writer. Steve met Sebu Simonian, io's lead singer,

while trying to find a producer for his first album. "When I met Sebu, I was amazed

only a month after acquiring a drummer. Even when their show was booked, they only had a couple of songs written. "We had less

songs."

groups like Black Sabbath, the Beatles and

in history as a foundation always for the Armenian music scene, but won't be heard 20 yean from now "I dont want the Armenian youth to associate creativity and success with metal (ust because it worked for System)," Steve says. "My fear is that [Armenian] youth will follow trends rather than start something new." have a place

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of the trio

Shahen's baptism of fire. He and friend James Martin put the band together in December 1995. They were so eager to start performing that they played their first show

reason for this is that nowadays music is driven by sound rather than by the song. System

0nlheHool Artag Pogosyan and Zareh Manoukian are

Shahen Hagobian, bassist

called The Ambulance, used to perform with a band called Lotus Land. His sound (back in 19fti) suggested a strong influence by Les Claypool, the singer/bassist of Primus, a trio whose music is the fusion of iazz, funk, punk and progressive rock. Lotus Land was

than a month

change with every trend. On the other hand,

Roof is not a band. It's more like a

llllllllllll.fiGamlulilcG.Gllm

wdting. "The art of songwriting

of a Down's music, for example, is sounddriven music. The problem is that sounds

Steve Sayadian says that Waiting On The

il,cflm[ulancG

to oank out

several more

But James eventually wanted to purexit Lotus Land.

sue theater, so

The Ambulance, which formed in the sum-

of 199, started as an improvisational band. Shahen, and A.J. guitarist and lead vocalists, got together for a jam session and decided to join forces. The music they play mer

today contains sonic, experimental, tense melodies. According to Shahen, their music attacks the mind and body. "The music makes people feel uneasy." Shahen can place Armenian fans into one of three categories, not dissimilar to those

who attend sports functions, or church, for that matter. The first includes the socialites. "These types of Armenian fans show up right before the show and socialize. They dont seem

interested in the music." The next cate-

lnts

gory consists of the supporters, "Friends and

family may show up simply to support, not because they necessarily like the music." The last group is made up of those people who genuinely enjoy the music.

bad, is good for me." OneSideZero has recently signed a record deal with Maverick Records.

The Apex Theory (www.apextheory.com) recently signed with DreamWorks and were not available for an interview. But opening

for them last year was OneSideZerc

tith

Levon Sultanian on lead guitar. Irvon started taking the guitar seriously in the fourth grade when he played the father's role in The Sound of Musig singng Edelweiss.

"I loved the attention I reoeived on stage," he sa16. By lW,Levonwas playing with a couple of other bands, including The Ambulance. It was around this time that OneSideZero was formed. Levon describes the style of OnesideZero

Having come from a family of talented musi-

Averlisian's

parents both encouraged him to pursue music. "I took guitar and voioe lessons and my parents were very supportive." Conoeming his influences, "I respect good music, whether itb Frank

love." Among his more modern influHendrix. "God is John l.ennon for me." Levon is aware that Armenian fans come with different motivations, and he doesnt anger,

care. "We get some of the Apex fans from my

earlier days. Other Armenians are there just

Granian is Garen's ftrll-time occupation and

bands at 14, in clubs at 16 and fonned Granian

was L8 with his cousins Zareh Aghajanian (Freaks) and Steve Ohanians with a band

band. Shant is the manager and executive producer, and Viken handles the website, its chat

called Drop, which later evolved into

ences are the Beafles and Jimi

"We are along the same path of creativity. It's

working out well," says Garen.

he seems to be doingflne. He

Substance which broke up and Robertjoined the band Elevator, which he found through an ad in the LA Weekly. Although not trying to target an Armenian audience, Elevator has one song with a Middle Eastern flavor. It's difficult to classi$ Elevator's music. Robert couldnt do it. Guitarist Seth Meyer could only add that there was no one like them on the radio. Robert is a bit reminiscent of Maynard from Tool. A performance at the Martini Lounge in Hollywood was addictive. Robert is an excellent front man. His moves

these artists elicit. "They were able to make me feel what they were feeling: anguish, hate,

of Garen as the lead vocalist and guitar, Gracon Legere as background vocalist and drummer, and Tony Maceli as bass player.

Sinaha or Bob Marley," Robert sap, 'Just as

80s

evidenL Levon's strongest influences areMozag Beethoven and Bach because of the emotions

this band by himseH in 1995, right after high school. Since then, he has rotated band members a few times. Currently, Granian consists

long as it's played with passion." Robert began his musical career when he

metal guitar riffs and punk influences are also

has some

0nanian Garen Guyikian of New Jersey, started

tll'llllllll.Gl guat0n - musiG.Gllm cians, itb not surprising that Robert

on stage are as hypnotic as his vocals. "Once we start plafng, people stop socializing and focus on us," said Robert.

UllHtu.gFa[m,Gllm

Elcualor

llIltrlllll.0nGsiilemno,com

as "very emotional rock."

because I'm Armenian. I love it. I want everyone to come. They'll either like it or not." When it comes to criticism, Levon welcomes any. "Any remark, whether good or

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startedplayingin

at 19. His brotlers, too, are involved in the

rooms and Internet promotions.

Garen's parents, originally from Beirut,

kbanon, wanted him to go to college first. So, Garen started Northeastern University, majoring in engineering. "I quickly realtzpd that I needed to go home and write and play music," he says. For the first muple of years, his parents tried to convince him to forget about music and go back to college, but as they saw Garen's two brothers supporting him, they finally accepted it. Granian's music is poprock. Some describe it as a combination of Dave Mathews and

lnts

Live. Granian's second CD, Hang Around, released in October of 2000, was recorded in

los Angeles

and produced by Dan Marnien,

for

such artists as Elton John. Granian has played in most major US cities and its fan base is diverse. In March, 35,000

producer

Granian mp3s were downloaded from Napster, ranking their songs numbers two and three on Napster's Pop Rock Top Forty downloads, Dave Mathews being number one. Granian's music has also been featured on the popular television show, Dawson's Creek.

our music." Their first showwas in July 2000 at the Rorywith io andWaitingonthe Roof. After graduation from college, she

attended New York's CMJ Music Festival, which showcased all the new bands from around the world, and Belinda knew she had to pursue music. "I even met DJ's looking for vocalists and considered staying in New York." What changed her mind? "My par' ents! Being Armenian! I don't get much sup-

port from home. It's the whole Armenian mentality. How could I pursue a career in music, according to them?" But Belinda thinks she'll end up in the New

tc[ocGll tfItllw.m[8.com/ec[ocell Belinda Kazanci seemed destined to be a

used to stand with a brush in my hand singing all day throughout the house," she

singer.

admits. Born in Istanbul, Belinda moved to Orange Countywithherfomilyvdrenstrewasnine. In April 2000, Belinda replied to ad for a

band seeking a singer. Echocell consisted of three members whose sound is a blend between Portishead and NIN (Nine Inch Nail$. It's dark and moody. A blend of trip-

York scene in the future. "I'm going for my dream. I just cant take that route of following what my parents or what the Armenian community expects from me. This pushes me even more, so that one day I'll succeed and say'I did it!"'A song on their album, called'Separated' is about dealing with how parents want you to

live your life according to their traditions. Even if you succeed with something that goes against their will, you still lose because you're leaving tradition behind." Meeting other Armenian musicians fascinates Belinda. "I was very shocked! I thought I was the only one. It makes me see how serious other Armenians are about making it. It made me even more proud to be an Armenian."

hop and industrial music. "We tend to attract a lot of goth kids, fans who are into NIN, and the

ravers." Belinda has strong Middle Eastern influences, too. "My ethnicity seeps through our music." Sezen Aksu, a famous female Tirkish singer, is one ofher greatest influences. "Our programmer, Adam, is really open to new styles and will go out of his way to incorporate ethnic sounds such as the duduk into

[nolhenFit UIWW.An0fiGrlitCOm

to the

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Los

tombak for roughly 14, at Pasadena City College. They got together, jammed and formed a band. Boghos had moved to I-os Angeles from Montreal in search of rock and roll stardom. Garen and Navik hied him out and took him in. "He just gooved on it," says Navik. "He threw it down and made it seem easy."

Bog has been writing music since he was 13. Another self-taught musician, he

had no interest in school and focused purely on his music. "Bog has lyrical skill," says Navik, comparing him to the likes of David Bowie. Guitarist Heno was the final link. He has been nicknamed "Hollywood" by his band mates because he knows everyone at The Rainbow, a cheesy 80s heavy metal hangout on Sunset that has managed to survive into this century. He moved from Armenia five years ago, having played guitar for about 15 years. "Heno's music is very complimentary. He also keeps amazing time. Very talented,"

Navik comments. Their genre is a blend of classic rock and metal. "We call it sleaze rock. We take it

back Another Fit is one of the latest additions

Armenian music scene

Angeles, having formed in May 2000. Navik, a self-taught musician, joined up with a death metal band called Sentinel at 14. However, Navik's grades suffered. Rather than jeopardize his schooling, he dropped out of Sentinel but maintained his commitment to music and continued playing the guitar on his own. Once he got through high school, he met a drummer named Garen, who has been playing drums for 7 years and

metal and rock. It's bare-bone

music," admits Navik.

Navik wants to see a record deal. "Everything has gone ourway so far," he says. "The way we see it, we're either gonna fall face down or cause something new to happen."

DiaBo[a ululttll.ilia[0la.com DiaBoLa is one of the few hardcore bands out there. The story begins with a 13

year-old named Harry Derkalousdian, lead guitarist. Harry has a special love for Series 10 Fenders. "Musicians don't use Fenders anyrnore. Kurt Cobain did," says Harry. But in truth, that's all they had at Charles Music, the only music store within walking distance

from his house in Glendale. In the heyday of grunge, Harry had listened to Nirvana, Pearl Jam, STP, and The Smashing Pumpkins. Lately, though, it's been the Deftones, Korn and Tool. He also listens to the Doors. Harryb ftst band experience came with Bleed, a punk band in May 1994. He got kicked out of this band because he didnt want to sing.

In the

where Andy comes in. Andy went to school with Harry. "Andy was a hard-core rabiz," Harry says, referring to street-music, considered uncultured in Yerevan, and now L,os Angeles. But after an audition, they knew that this was going to work out just fine. DiaBoLa was born in November 1998. They released a Sebu-recorded demo with three songs in 1999 and are planning the release of a new demo in the near future. "I am particularly influenced by Harout Pamboukjian," says Andy. "He is an amazing entertainer. This guy puts on a show. When he's on, you just got to move. I also like Manuel. He sings with such emotion. Every word coming out of his mouth is from his heart."

He continues with his eclectic mix of influences, "If it weren't for Microcosm G.O.D. and System,

wouldn't be writing

lyrics today." Among his non-Armenian influences, Andy sites Robert Plant (Led

Znppelin), the now-deceased Lynn Strait (Snot), and Portishead. "My biggest issue with Armenian musicians and the music scene in general is the lack of unity between bands. Everyone is out there to get their own. Get sigred and take

off. I'd like to see the unity again. "The Armenian music scene? "The more, the mersays Andy. The fans? "They're the best I've seen ever," he admits, "They hold us up." They even have fans in Fresno. They've never played in Fresno. Recently, Andy has left the band and is working with friends to start a new one. "Personally, I do it for fun," says Harry. "It's a big extra if we get signed. We enjoy entertaining. But I dont want to sound like we're not serious about it, 'cause we are."

rier,"

summer

of that year,

Khatchig

Darakjian, Eric Encinas, and Harry got together in a band called Curd, which later changed to Karma. Then they picked up Arby. The name and style of the band changed and were now called Virus Idol. Are

you still keeping up with all of this? Arby ends up leaving for med school, so these guys start looking for another bass player. This is

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llutllwallGtfiou0lrt.lu Afterthought, an alternative rock band, started in March 199, when Saro Koujakian, singer and back-up guitarist, and Daron Gozumian, keyboard, were to perform in a talent showcase at the AGBU ManoogianDemirdjian School. Saro asked his cousin Mher Ajamian to play drums. And so the band started. Aram Dellalian, bass, joined the band in November and Farhad Soheili, lead guitarist, in January 2001, a week before

Afterthought (together with Echocell)

opened a show for io at the Roxy. "Coming out of public high school, Aram and I were exposed to music, arts, sports," says Mher, where he had met Aram and Sebu

of io. Most Armenian schools do not offer their students music or drama classes. For them, Glendale High School has offered the

opportunity

explore non-traditional

Armenian careers. The band is currently in the studio recording their upcoming three to five song demo, expected to be released by April ofthis year. Studio space and equipment has been provided by Mtrer's dad, Vartan Ajamian, an artist and former music producer himself. "We are very lucky. My dad has been very supportive.

He bought us all the recording equipment. Our parents are also friends and hang out with one another,"

says Mher. Some members of Afterthought are the children of musicians from Irbanon. "Being born in the US, we dont have the urge to break away. We are

[fis

comfortable with ounelves," adds Mher. Three years down the line, the band has to make a choice. Mher, who's a photography major at Art Center in Pasadena believes that if the band does not take off by then, he would have to leave in order to pursue a career in photography. "Aram, Daron and Farhad will stay in music as a career," says Mher. "Right now we are doing it for fun. We enjoy the music and the whole movement. If a record deal comes otu way, we'll be happy. If not, we won't be disappointed," he adds.

MisIima nunuw.lnictiondsslgn. com/mislfi ma One band that has recenfly sigred with a record company is Mishima. Catapult Records,

an independent label in the New England are4 sigred Mishima last year and has already pro-

duced its first album called 'Hold My Breath,' due out in late May. A demo CD with foursongs is currenfly out for promotional use. Arto Payaslian, 29, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, has been playrng music all his life, but it wasn't until he met drummer Sean O'Conner, also 29, ln 1997 , that they started

seriously practicing and playing under the name Mishima,a20th century Japanese novelist and poet. "The name has nothing to do with our music," says Arto. This two-piece band, with Arto on vocals and bass, feels no need to have additional members. "When we started playrng, people felt we had a full sound. This way, it is more collaborative and more fun,"

says

Arto. "We are good friends

and enjoy what we do," he adds.

Mishima is an indie (independent) rock genre band with garage pop influences. Its heavy guitar pop sound is reminiscent of

group

such as the Beatles, the Monkeys, Sonic

Youth and Velvet Underground. The duo collaborates on all of its songs, with lyrics written by Arto. "The band is my priority rigfot now," says Arto, who is also finishing his Masten Degee in English Literature and working towards his Ph.D. in the same fleld. Sean is a Ph.D. student in Psychology. "I feel that we have created areal good regional following and with the release of the CD and the record company's resources, we are ready to move to the next level. We cant be in a rock band when we are 50, but we can be professon then," adds Arto. Their first release on Dahlia Records was a single vinyl45 called Stop Swerving. The 500 copies were sold out, and the single was nominated at the 1999 Boston Music Awards.

Bob, Mardo's brother, joined the group when he turned 14. All three were bom and raised in Fresno, Califomia. The trio's songs have been featured on television shows such as Dawson's

Creek and Bufly the Vampire Slayer, and in Warner Brothen film, Wild America. Mardo, 25, bass and keyboards, Zig,26, guitar, and Bob,2L, drums, opened shows for Hootie and the Blowfish, Sugar Ray, Fionna Apple and othen. The Spies, with their producer, Dave Reitzas, who has worked with major artists such as Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Savage Garden and others, are currently working on new material, due out this year.

is apparent that the emergence of this new

lmovement has not only produced musicians, but fans too. This is totally uncharted

Arto,who is the nephewof Catholicos Zareh

territory. Young people are beginning to

Bu! apart from the subconscious ffiuences that come with being Armeniaq his music oontairs no

experiment with different types of music and are accordingly beginning to change the way they look at things. This movement is not reserved for any particular ethnic Armenian.

I of Antelias, is proud of

his lineage.

Armenian sounds. "Ow fan base oonsiss of college students who are open to more substantive songwriting and are not much into mainsteam music," salt

Arto.

Having played together since the age of 14,

Mardo and Zig formed the Spies in 194, and

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The band members above come from all over some were bom in the US, others came at a young age from Beirut, Tehran or Yerevan. They are all equally involved. There you have it. This tour is just a partial look at this new music scene. There is a

lot more talent out there in addition to the bands covered here. New Armenian bands are popping up, literally, every month. They deserve a chance, and, if you like them, support. That's how System of a Down got started. And just look at what they've been able to

achieve.

il*1 tr" *i i[ t,

t I

i!r

n**..

Ants

nyuhere, Apill 2001 While most artists talk-the-talk, they don't necessarily

"and I can't believe I'm sick now."

walk-the-walk. They plan, plot, prepare,

New York Gity, September 2000 Nune appears with Djivan Gasparyan, master of the Armen-

promise and dream, but fail to materialize their object d'art. That's not the case with one of the hardest working Armenian performers in the world, Nune Yesayan. Her fame is now so vast and her music so popular, that the singer sometimes wonders how she

ian wooden flute, duduk, at the Lincoln Center.

No one knows that the 3O-year-old is feverish and should be in bed. She's the consummate performer and professional. She takes the Big Apple by storm.

keeps up. That's even the theme of one of Nune's new songs.

In her new CD 'Love', Nune sings about her meteoric career with infinite jest. She raps about her endless jaunts across the oceans and around the globe, her concerts in halls, arenas and auditoriums, interviews with multilingual journalists and reporters, and meet-

ings with officials, civilians and clergy. AII that, she sings, leaves her no time to find her true love. Due out this month, Nune's f,fth album is all about love - romantic, maternal,

doing her part to rejuvenate the Armenian soul and to bridge generational and cultural gaps, bringing families and strangers together with her music."

Washington, D.C., May 1999 In the largest hall on Capitol Hill, the chamber which serves as

the meeting place for the U.S. House of Representatives, stands the gentleman from Califomia, the Honorable George Radanovich, reading a hibute toNune Yesayan. "Mr. Speaker," begins the Fresno-area Congressman, "I rise today to recognize Ms. Nune Yesayan for

patemal, and fraternal, and love for one's people and ethnic heritage.

"Why Love?" I ask sitting across Nune at a sidewalk cafe across from the Opera House in Yerevan. Nune, dressed Yerevan, May 2000

elegantly is enjoying a small break between rehearsal with her band and her appearance at the Opera to be a panelist at the Sayat

Nova original music festival, along with childhood idols like singer Raisa Mkrtchian. "Love," she says picking up her hot cup of tea, stalling to find the right words. "It's a basic need to love, be loved and share our love. Everyone understands it, and it's what makes us alive." "What about you," I ask. "Are you in love?" "We have to go," she says looking at her watch, a blush barely visible, and a wistful sadness in her eyes. Moments later, we're in her hunter green Honda Rav4, and Nune is driving aggressively to avoid potholes on Yerevan's malnourished streets. "But love

doesn't feed the belly or take care of an entire family," she says, sounding like an 80 year old. "So we have to keep going, persevering and enduring." Detroil, September 2000 "It must be the flu." She's sitting on top of one of the dozen crates traveling with her and her band on their con- the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Friday night, a bus ride to Fresno the next morning, a concert at the Saroyan Theater on Saturday and a third one in San Francisco on cert tour

Sunday. Now, Nune is sick to her stomach, has a head cold, is hungry and frustrated, waiting

for

a piece of lost luggage in Motor City. "We have to be in New York tonight," she says,

AIM APRIL

2OO1

Los Angeles, February 2000 The rain does not stop. It's relentless. Nune sits at the McDonald's

inside the Science Museum, eating a Yogurt Parfait, waiting for the next showing of 'The Pyramids' at the IMAX theatre. "We need to encourage our young people, our young artists so they can continue our language and our traditions," she says looking at kids playing with a set of roped balloons near the museum's stairs. Watching the 7O-foot wide and seven floors

high IMAX screen and seeing the Egyptian Pyramids bigger than life will be a test of

endurance for Nune. She will try not to be

overcome

by the claustrophobia

that

enveloped her when she walked inside the real Pyramids. That was then, and this is now.

IMAX amazes her and the clarity of the hieroglyphics captured on film inspire her and fuel her mission to ensure the survival of her own people's history. Boslon, January 2001 In the archives room

the l5O-year-old Boston Herald, a Bean Town landmark, a historybuffskims through the pages chronicling the fall of the Soviet

Union, the sinking of the Titanic and two world wars, and he finds an article by the Herald's Jules Crittenden about Nune. "Rare is the nightclub singer who hasn't secretly dreamed of becoming a cultural icon," writes Crittenden. "Rarer still is the one who cross-

jazzy andmodern flair. For example, the song 'Hairig' and the one about mothers were a great rendition. The classic 'Kalees es' was good too, she really jazzed it up. And there's a

bit of rock-n-roll at the end."

Glendale, August 2000 The Democtatic National

Convention is in downtown Los Angeles, and while Vice President Al Gore is giving his acceptance speech, Nune is at a Starbucks on Brand Boulevard being interviewed by a television crew. A car drives by honking; a

teenager yells out,'We love you, Nune.' In 'Love,' the svelte, petite crooner sings

about attention, affection and adulation. The most heart wrenching songs are about the lover left for another, the woman waiting for love, and the love of nation, so necessary

in a turbulent time in Armenian

history.

it in our daily lives. In 'Love,' although the

"There's a joke you hear these days," says Nune, "that the last person to leave the Republic should turn off the lights and shut the door behind them. We have to do what we can to tell the world that our lights will never go out and our door will never close." She vows to keep repeating this; it's her new

music and words are Armenian, they have a

mantra she says.

to achieve that dream." think her new CD truly represents us,

es musical genres

the Armenians of the world," says singer and musician Hygo Ohannessian. "We are such

diverse people and listen

to all types of

music, and of course we want to incorporate

AIM APRIL

2OO1

San Luis 0bispo, January 2001 In a dark apart-

ment near the Central Coast of California, Pablo Tailanian is up past midnight doing his

part to preserve his heritage through music. His goal is to finish Nune's new Internet web site before the release of 'Love'in April. He has to think about the text, fonts, graphics, music and video streams. At his side, Houri Vartanian, another Nune fan, gives a thumbs up and thumbs down to what wwwnune.org will eventually look like. "We took our parents to the Fresno concert," says Thilanian, "and now they can't wait for her new album. You should have seen all the people talking about Nune on Napster. It's amazing. There are youngpeople everywhere downloading and uploading Nune songs." New York, October 2000

A young fiImmaker

from New York Universrty, the next Steven Soderbergh or Steven Spielberg, wants Nune be

to star in his next movie. "It's going to

about an Armenian mother struggling to make ends meet in the Big Apple," he says. He even has financing worked out; his father All Nune has to do is give him five weeks in the spring. He's already is footing the bill.

arranged

for

appearances and screenings. he asks, "will you?"

"Will you do it,"

Fresno, Septem0er 2000 An elderly couple approach Nune in a downtown hotel and ask her to sign their CDs. She's about to go on stage at the Saroyan Theater of the Fresno Convention Center for a benefit concert, and barely touches her chicken sandwich. She has already been interviewed by local NBC and CBS stations and is now entertaining questions from a dozen locals who have taken out to dinner. Ziggy, the waiter, asks why strangers are asking for her autograph. She smiles and looks around the table. I show Ziggy the article from the Fresno Bee tvith a half-page artist's rendering of Nune's image. "Wow," he says, "she's a real celebrity. Can I come to the show?" He asks for her autograph and walks away blushing. The next morning, David Hale of the Bee writes, "At first thought, singer Nune Yesayan and duduk artist Djivan Gasparyan seem an unlikely pairing for the concert of Armenian music. What the performers have in common, besides their love of the music of their homeland, is that they are perhaps the most popular Armenian entertainers in the world." The fifth cut from'Love'pairs Nune rvith the ancient duduk. As Nune sings, the instrument sings back. Nune's soft yet courageous voice wraps itself around Gasparyan's notes and speaks of her need to tell the world of the wounds of the heart. lVlosoow,

Aptil 2001 Nune is warming up her

audience a few miles from the Kremlin and Irnin's Tomb. It's another sold-out concert, and in the audience, tonight, are thousands who have left the homeland due to economic

temporarily they hope. Nune is here, too, in her eye+atching costumes, singng her heart out to ease the loneliness of those hardship

away from home. The Diva says she is doing what she can to bring a moment of joy during an impossible economic situation.

home, Armenia TV is broadcasting

the concert live from Moscow. Somewhere, July 2001 Flashbulbs sparkle

l/til[il{ I

off

Nune's gold gown. She is on stage, shining bright in the spotlight, in front ofyet another audience left in awe. It's the perfect setting for a set of songs about 'Love,' the perfect setting among the glitter and glamour of a western metropolis, as if the stage, the resort and the city were planned only for her songs and only for this moment. r

SAVI 40o/o'700/o

EVERYDAY

Boolts

IonUottenIlre BY SATPI HAROUTITIIAI{ GHAZARIAI{

he newest addition to the still-small harvest of novels, plays, screenPhYs md

memoirs based on the Gmocide is Fugottan Fhe In rutlwr, Adam Bagdasarian

and raised in California he is now a New Yorker. Forgotten Firy published by DK Publishing, is a very accessible, yet intense, young adult rcvel aimed at both children's and adult is 47 yearc

old Born

suffered, it takes real greatness to do that. How long has this story been in You?

First

wrote a short story for Yankee

magaane - a large and popular East Coast publication - and I won their annual flction

markets. The protagonist, Vahan Kenderian, is the

youngest son of a well-to-do and close-knit family. When l2-year-oldVahan's uncle disappears, his father is taken away, and two brothers are shot in the family garden, his life changes. Over the next three years, he becomes an orphan, a prisoner, a beggar, a shepherd, a servant qnd a stowawaY. Bagdasarian is the son of Chipmunks cre' ator Ross Bagdasarian, and second cousin of

William Saroyan. Forgotten Firy his ftrst novel, was nominated for the National Book Award, and the Los Angeles Times Book Award. AIM: How were you able to get inside the head ol a child who lived through such hor' rilic erperiences?

It is very surprising t0 see a book that is so

tull of the worst kind ol human uiolence, so a$pical ol young adult literature, about an unknown pail ol the woild, being promoted

really think of

this BAGSDASARIAII: story aside from being specifically about the genocide - as being a metaphor for life itseH. We all eventually end up losing family members, friends, the homes we grew up in; there are so many losses in a normal everyday life. The book to me is a metaphor for that, and how we handle such loss and what we become as a result. It's really a test of who we are - how we are strengthened by those things and strengthened in a way that we don't disappear with our Past.

The book is loosely based on your great' uncle's stoiles? It really is all based on my great-uncle's storiqs. I brought that to life. He was an extrao\dinary man, to be able to experience that kihd of loss in his life, and to come out of it and become a vital lifeJoving adult who had a fainily, and loved life. After all he had

award for that story. Then one day, I heard the tape my great uncle made when he was dying, and I always thought of that tape as a note a marooned man would place in a bottle and tfuow out to sea hoping that someone would find it and tell his story. If we want to continue the metaphor, I guess I found the bottle. Listening to it, I was so unexpectedly and profoundly affected by what I was hearing. Then, I realized during the writing of the book that those experiences had somehow always been inside of me. I think the trauma of the Genocide has been passed from one generation to the next through the seed. It was very strange, because I didn't grow up really connected to the Armenian community in an organizational sort of way, but somehow those experiences were a part of my blood and bones. I didn't realize how much a part of me that experience was until I started to write the book. Writing kind of freed me in a way. Hopefully it will have that affect on other people. It's about the Genocide but it's also about life. The most important thing to me was to tell the emotional truth of that story. So that it would feel true to the reader.

and sold, and nominated for awards.

nlhe

impontant

thing lon Anmenians i$ to nememten that it happened, to leel that it happened, anil Uo [eyond that ir hail hamcq*q#,,

didn't write the book for children or

young adults. I was writing for people. The reason it was published as a Young Adult book is because the protagonist is a young person and they felt that would be the right way to market it. The amazing thing is that it's reaching all ages. I'm hearing as much or more from adults as children. If it were published as an adult book, children would not have had a chance to read it. In a society that

sometimes glorifles, sometimes trivializes violence, I think it's useful to show children what violence really is, how awful it really is. In a society where we do sensationalize violence, this book gives them the real thing and the awfulness ofviolence and the affect that it

AIM APRIL

2OO1

has.

Boolrs

hx&$rpl Published by permission, The Forgotten

Flre ny nOam Bagdasarian All rights

he room was black. As my eyes adjusted to the

my home and my room and my bed lnd been a dream.

pulled the girl out the door. I heard her screams after

darkness, I saw that there were two windows,

Armenouhi was crying softly in the darkness. Oskina held her and told her not to be afraid. "N0 one

the door had been closed and locked.

each barred on the inside, boarded on the out-

side. There was a crack of sunlight where the two boards met, and by that light I could gradually make

heard her

mother cry in the dark.

is coming for us," she said.

ln a dead voice my mother said, "He's gone," but

"No one will hurt you, Armenouhi," my mother

this time only 0skina sat up, Armenouhi was lying on her side, holding her stomach as though she were ill.

out the fifty or sixty bodies- some on their backs,

said. But Armenouhi could not stop crying, and her

some on their sides, their feet bare, their clothes turn-

face once so beautiful, with features as fine and deli-

My grandmother asked her what was wrong, but

ing to rags. Whatever pretense of hope or optimism remained inside me had by now completely disap-

cate as an engraving, was almost unrecognizable now.

Armenouhi did not answer.

peared, and

hours.

bending over her. Armenouhi shook her head, and then she began to moan, and I saw the bag of poison beside her on

When we heard the footsteps, Sisak inched closer to me so that our sisters were completely hidden behind us, We heard a key in the lock, then the bolt

the floor. I reached for the bag and my mother grabbed

carefully as we could over and around the other prison-

retract. The door opened, and I saw a dark figure, back

it and looked inside.

ers, and as we did I heard the stirring of limbs and torsos pressing upon one another to make a path for us.

lit by the hall light, holding a lamp in his hand. He had no face, no eyes or mouth, but was only a broad shad-

We found our way to a corner of the room and sat

ow stepping into the dark room, looking down at the

I reached in the dark for the first hand

found and held it tightly, not knowing or caring whose hand it was.

We began to walk across the room, stepping

down. The r00m was warm, and the air was heavy and

bowed heads before him.

moistand hard to breathe. I looked about mpelf uncomprehendingly, for it was a place too awful to be real.

to another, and another. As he neared the middle of the

'Who are you?" a voice beside us said, a woman s voice, dry and weary.

"Yes."

"Do you have any food?" "N0," my mother said.

"Did you take this?' she said. "Did you take this, Armenouhi did not answer; she could not speak.

room, I heard Armenouhi pressing herself into the other sound, and every eye in the room was on the soldier, waiting to see whom he would choose. With his free hand he raised the head of a girl and held the lamp to her face. I could see her profile in the

light, and the green collar ol her dress. When he

wi{ffi{flil,,,T#:#;fi#ffiil,ff ing over a brilliant white field. My hands in the sunlight looked small and pale- the hands of a sick child. My arms belonged to that same child, and the faces of my hmily were almost unrecognizable, the faces of ghosts and mourners. My sister 0skina was a wraith

with great black eyes, tangled brown hair, and lips as thirsty as my own. My mother rltas an old woman with

reached down and pulled her to her feet, the girl did

'We have no water. l'm sony." I could see the

not scream or even try to resist. Perhaps she had screamed before; perhaps she had already tried to

white hair and withered white arms.

resist. Head bowed, she went away with the soldier. I followed the sound of footsteps down the hall, down

I ll

"l havent eaten for four days." "They want us

to die," said another voice from

another partof the room. "They don't want Armenians in their country."

"Do you have daughters?" asked the woman beside us. "l cannot see very well." 'Yes," my mother said. "Two daughters."

The woman was silent for a moment. "Protect them," she whispered. "At night the soldiers come." I did not know at the time exactly what the woman

meant, but if words could cast a shadow, then I saw it

on my sisters'faces and felt the chill of it on my skin. Hours passed. Forthefirsttime in my lile,lwas hungryand herewas no food, I was thirsty and there was n0 wdter. I lmerv then as I had not knoyvn before

tut

the room was real and that

said,

Armenouhi?"

"Water?"

woman now, a tired lined face as moist as clay. "Don't they feed you?" Sisak asked.

my mother

He held the lamp before one face, then passed on

corner, the floor creaking beneath her. There was no

"Meera Kenderian," my mother sald. "From Bitlis?"

"Are you sick, Armenouhi?"

We all sat together in silence for what seemed like

the stairs, to silence. "He's gone," my mother said, and Oskina, then Armenouhi, sat up.

s the sun set behind the mountains, the soldiers began to walk among us. They pulled cer-

Jlra,n

ooys ro metr reel

rO-Ox

mem ro me

nver,

and shot them in cold blood. Four boys were killed in

this way, boys no older than

Siuk, no older

than l.

"You see," someone whispered. "You see what they do?'

in silence, each of us gazing at the river, at nothing at all. A cold wind was

I didn't. Not really. But I looked behind me at my

blowing ofi the mountains. "When it gets dark,' my mother said to Sisak, "l want you and Vahan to run away."

sisters, and they saw it. My mother saw it.

A few minutes later, another soldier entered the room and pulled another girl to her feet. But this girl screamed, and this girl's mother begged the soldier not to take her daughter, "l will give you everything

After the last shot, we

cannot watch them kill you," my mother said.

"Please." That was all she said.

All these years later I still ask myself if I should

have," she said. "l have a home and jewelry. I have jewelry. As much as you want. Please don't take her.

tion almost every day. I know now as I did then, that

Please don't take her lrom me,'

Siuk and I had no other choice, but the

But the soldier had made his choice, and he

AIM APRIL

2OO1

have Ieft my mother and sister. I ask myself this ques-

returns, or, rather, lives inside

me.

question

Uhll ol Silence

Fnagile llneams

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Faces

$ittinu ltuisteil om to be on stage, l,ory Tatoulian, the lively, talkative and candid daughter of a priest has been capturing audiences from coast to coast with her one-woman show - Sitting Twisted, Talking Straight. Thtoulian, who some say is a mix between Gilda Radner and Bette Midler, packed Manhattan's The Raw Space for an engagement sponsored by the AGBU Young Professionals, in February 2001. "My parents are very supportive of my work and attend my shows whenever posible," says Thtoulian. This sounds natural, until you realize that Thtoulian examines the ritualistic components of the Armenian Church into her show. Indeed the whole show, which Tatoulian herself wrote and directed, incorporates Armenian culture and heritage, with the modernday influences of media and pop culture. Thtoulian, cleverly and humorously, tackles issues of feminism, fashion and the environment, addiction, role models, and her grandmother's experiences during the Genocide. Tatoulian has created characters who are convincing and at times, surprisingly familiar. Her talent, hard work, and passion for performance art are behind Tatoulian's recent success and popularity in both Armenian and American communities. "The Armenians identily with all the different words I present on stage," says Tatoulian. "I really connect with them," she adds. The 23-year-old comedienne was born in Reedley, California, just outside Fresno, and today lives a few hundred miles to the south in

BneatltinU Lile into Ethical Gullune

San Diego.

Los Angeles-based Vocheench Productions will produce her next performance of Sitting Twisted, Talking Straight, with some new mate-

rial added, at the Secret Rose Theater in North Hollywood, California, on May 30 and 31, and June 5, 6 and 7. -Hrair Sarkis Sarkissian

rowing up in the Boston suburb of Dorchester, Massachusetts, young Khoren Arisian attended public school during the week, Armenian School on Saturdays and Unitarian Church on Sundays. "It was the only church within walking distance," recalls Arisian. These experiences exposed Arisian early on to diversity and free thinking, so it comes as no surprise that in 2001, he should be the Senior Leader of New York's ultra-liberal and ultra-progressive Society of Ethical Culture (SEC.) Founded n t877 by Felix Adler, the son of the senior rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, this humanistic educational and religious movement predicates its philosophy on the concept of moral growth as the basis of spiritual life and on the Emersonian premise that human beings are naturally progressive. Instead of ritual, SEC organizes lectures, marches and seminars on socially relevant themes such as poverty and education reform. It is, essentially, the first agnostic religion in the world. SEC were the guys who fought for labor and prison reforms in the early part of the 20th Century. They were in large part the sons and daughters of the German Jewish liberal elite, thoroughly agnostic, and Judaic or otherwise uninterested in any type of religion steeped in the type of liberal values that have long since disappeared from Manhattan and much of the rest of the US, too. So how did a good Armenian boy from Dorchester end up leading Ethical Culture? After completing his studies at Tufts University,

Tatoulian on stage in New York

Arisian spent a year at Oxford, followed by a degree from Tufts Crane Theological School. Arisian served his first professional mission as a Unitarian minister in Iowa City, then in Sarasota, Florida, AIM APRIL

2OO1

Faces

HeseilrGfiing Wan am PeaGE Der Derian, a professor at Princetonb Schml of Social Science at the hstitute for Advanoed Study, sees Armenia heading in one of two directions. He has a best case and a wont case scenario. "Given Armenia's history Iiteracy, productiveness and entrepreneurial capacities, the country can overcome its geopolitical dfficulties and become a part of the group of smaller states, which build their strength on the new ames

economy of high technology, trade and brainpower," says Der Derian, Ireland would be such an example. In a worst-case scenario, he sees Armenia becoming a "fortress" state like Israel, one which is overly dependent on military strength and, Iooking more into the past than into the future, and not able to have good relations with its neighbon. "It has been an incredibly long struggle for the Armen- ians to find and establish a place they can call home," says Der Derian. "But the new nation-state is besieged by so many new issues, stemming from both globalization and geopolitical challenges. However we should not forget its biggest asset a strong Diaspora, which through its economic and political commitrnent, can have a tremendously positive impact on the new nation-state," he adds. 45.

Der Derian, 45, is part of that Diaspora, and a specialist in a field

not crowded with Armenians: he has chosen a university career, teaching and researching war and peace.

Der Derian's father grew up in Defioit, Michigan, his mother in uptate New York, and later the family moved to Wisconsin. Der Derian pursued his graduate studies at Oxford University in England, where his research interests were greatly influenced by continental philosophy and Britain's antinuclear movement. Der Derian takes pride in his Armenian ancestry which stemmed from the region around Sepastia, Turkey. His grandparents, Toros and Kay Der Derian, endured the tragedy of the Armenian genocide, seeing almost all of the family being slaughtered by the Turks. Der Derian says his father kept this memory alive, and imparted a strong sense of moral accountability in his son, who went through a series of stages on the issue of the Armenian genocide. "At one point, I was a nationalist," he says. Presently he thinks the path towards reconciliation requires the recognition of the genocide by the Thrks. "However, it as well requires that the two people search to find common grounds for talks and opening up of relations," he adds.

Irssons leamed from his family heritage have influenced Der where his commitment to civil rights and his participation in the historic March on Selma brought him to loggerheads with a conservative parish. A Merrill fellowship brought Arisian to the famed Harvard Divinity School in 1966, after which Arisian became senior leader for Ethical Culture from 1968 to 1979. The next 18 years were spent at the Unitarian Society in Minneapolis, until SEC asked him back to New York two years ago.

Interestingly enough, notes Arisian, there

Der Dedan in Jerusalem

Derian's current research project looks at how genocide and ethnic cleansingaswell as famine and civil conflict have come back tohauntthe intemational order, and whether new forms of technology will enhance violence or peace in the world. This spring, Perseus Press will publish Der Derian's research entifled Mrtuous Wars. Future projects include researching the representations of war in poetry, drama, films and literature, and how these representations shape our relations with others, and how this knowledge might be applied to the Armenian experience. Der Derian's latest book is The Virilio Reader (Blackwell Publishen, 1D8). He has also written on issues of technology, politics, and new media for such magazines as The Washingnn Qunrterly and The Natbru -Sona Panajian

plete liberty, teach such classes as The Role of Moral Choice in Russian History and the Psychology of Personal groMh. Still, Ethical Culture's membership has dwindled, some say because the new generation has become anti-intellectual or has gone back to more traditional religious worship. Did Arisian ever consider becoming a priest within the Armenian church?

precedent for Armenian involvement in progressive religious and ethical movements in America, referring to Mangasar Mangasarian, a leader of the Independent Religious Movement in the 1%0's. "I was attracted to SEC because it is forward thinking and progressive. It looks at every aspect of life within an ethical light," he says. Under Arisian's leadership, an Adult Education School was begun at SEC, with courses taught by top academics who, given com-

He leans back in his chair and laughs, "Never. The Armenian Church is the exact opposite. Everything is about the past, everything

is packaged and re-presented as fixed in the present, if not for all time. When religion becomes static, it no longer looks to the future for fresh insight. My belief is that it is a mistake for society if religion is presumed to be a vehicle for culture, rather than simply one important element in it."

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Christopher Atamian

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Undenexlosed

Receiuinu Ehnist En Mas$o -I I

he 1700th anniversary of Christianity has been the excuse to speed up

the pace of christenings in Armenia. Decades of Communism meant

that several generations went without one of the church's holiest

sacraments. Even with the death of communism, the ritual has been slow

to take hold. But throughout Armenia, resident and visiting clergymen have been using every religious holiday and especially the 1700th anniversary of the adoption of Christianity as a state religion, to encourage mass

baptisms. Beginning with newborns, and continuing with their parents and grandparents. Last year, by mid-June, the 4,000 plus children born in the first two months of the new millennium were baptized in ceremonies held throughout Armenia and Karabakh. Each baby received a cross' a towel, a 1700th anniversary T:shirt, a bottle of children's medicine, a diaper and a milk bottle. A project this extensive could only succeed with cooperation among the Ministry of

Health, as well as the l7ff)th Committee and the Holy See of Ejmiatsin. Outlying regions (such as Hrazdan, pictured

here) with churches, held their own baptisms. In hardto-reach villages, priests paid home visits and christened

not only the newborns, but also all the other unbaptized children in the family.

Gele[natinU Womaffiood anil Beautll

Armenia, along wilh the rest ol the lormer Soviel Union, celebrates two diflerent days lor wom-en and mothers, within a month of each other. one liftre OCy ol Biauty on March 8. The other is Mothers' Day, celebrated on April 7. Yerevan's Mayor Roberl Nazarian chose the latter occasion lo gilts visit yerevan's oldeit women, Nadezhda Barseghian, 113, who resides in the Arabkir region ol Yerevan, to congratulate her on her day, with grandsons. lo Barseghian, her daughters and

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Unilenexposed

Puilic Ant Sommi$$ioned WffiH#lxiirik:j'jr"lilu from the center of Yerevan that it may well have been in, well, Bangladesh. And the name has stuck. Today, Bangladesh (as Malatia is still called, below) is still the same characso far

if it weren't for commissioned 12

terless district. Or it would be.

a creative mayor who

sculptors to create public pieces on the theme of the l700th anniversary. A month of hammering, chiseling and carving led to the birth of a dozen works of art which decorate the streets and parks about 10 miles to the south of Yerevan, and continue Armenia's tradition of public art in public spaces.

Remem[Eninu lusine espect comes in dffierent forms. For this restaurateur, honoring the memory of Lusine Zakaian, the singer known as the nightingale, means calling his take-out barbecue place, Lusine's Kebab. Located just across the street from the Catholicosate at Ejmiatsin, Lusine's Kebab is a small, five-table establishment with a big heart. The beloved singer's photo and music adom the eatery which otherwise is indistinguishable from the couple of dozen similar establishments which line Yerevan's Grill Street. For decades, locals and tourists came to Sunday mass at Ejmiatsin, at least in part to hear Zakaian's heavenly voice. Nine years after her death at the age of 62, Lusine's Kebab goes a little ways toward keeping her memory alive.

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-Photos & stories by Parik llazarian 61

I I le were talking about whether my lap- like Marlon Brando in The Godfather, llll t"o comouter's anti-virus software Thtevik's father finished his sentence with "for f f *ur wonn tne space rI IooK up on tne whatever happens from now on..." hard drive and during a pause in the conversation my friend Hayk said to me, "Thtevik and I bought wedding rings yesterday." Just like that. ing,

And he finished the announcement by say"And you will be the kavor - the best man. "

The difference between "would you" and "you will" was absent of subtlety. And the word "kavor" fell on my ear like so many other words I hear every day in Armenia that mean nothing, except that I will never learn this language. Over the next few weeks, I heard the word every day. "Oh, you're the kavor," people would say to me. "It's a great, great honor. Great." And often the word would be said with inflection - kAAAvor - the way you might hear your name said when meeting your exlover's pychiatrist at a cocktail party, "Oh so

YOU're..." Yes,

I would be the kAAAvor I would be

the best man. It would be a great honor. Great. Of course I know what it means to be best

man. It means your boyhood buddy, foxhole mate or fratemity brother names you as the guy in charge of hiring the stripper for the bachelor party. Simple. I should have known better. No country gets to be this complex by anything - even nuptial customs - being simple. The weddingwas a month ago and I can tell you that I still don't know what it means to be the kavor, except that apparently I'm the person who'll get blamed if the marriage goes sour. This, I learned at Thtevik's house on the day of the engagement, when her father said to me "...and Kavor, you will be responsible..."

And that's the way he said it. My name had become Kavor Andjust as I was feeling

Like a salesman handing over the keys of would make it offthe lot,

a car he wasn't sure

the father of the bride laid his daughter's future at my feet! Hayk was totally without complicity and with the wave of a brandy glass I became the liable party - cosigner on a loan that somebody else gets to spend. Like my phone number was now on both families' speed dial, ready to ring the minute the happily-everafters were jeopardized. But I'm ahead of myself on how this happened... On a Friday evening, I drove Haykh people to meet Tatevik's people. Six of us in a car built for four - the groom squeezed between

his aunt and sister like a watermelon

seed

pinched by fingers and waiting to squirt free

from

family picnic.

has a route schedule, we sat while the air became heavy with expectation. I whispered questions to Hayk. "Is there supposed to be some ceremony? Are we supposed to say something?" Hayk looked like aman weighingthemerib of lethal injection over hanging. He gave me the same answer I'd gotten for weeks. Nothing. Finally his father broke the uneasy silence by saying to me, "John, why dont you tell Tatevik's family why we've come here today." To which I said, "What?!" Ten faces for whom English is not a first language turned. I started stammering - something about love and families and unions, lis-

tening to myself and hoping that Hayk's translation was better than my delivery. But knowing that it probably wasn't. From somewhere deep inside the voice of an Irish ancestor whispered: "When all else fails, try honesty." So

By now, I'd had about a month

research the role of kavor. Even went to an

Armenian wedding to look for advice. All I could figure from the sample wedding was

I finished my intercession for Tatevik's

hand to Hayk's by saying to her father, "I think you should let Hayk marry your daugh-

took it to mean there was nothing for me to do. I took it wrong.

ter because this is the first time I've ever seen him wear a tie, so I guess he's serious." Thtevik's father took out a bottle of brandy and put it on the table, beside the one we had brought. He opened his. I opened ours. We filled glasses with half of each. The father of the bride admonished the Kavor and we drove home in the crowded Lada. In the weeks that came I learned what a kavor was supposed to do by being told when I had not done it. It was a simple wedding. No church. No priest. No promises that cant be kept. Uneventful. Tlteir kavorishoping that the ! marriage will be too.

We arrived at Thtevik's family's home, were warmly ushered in and sat. Waiting. Waiting. Like strangers at a bus stop where nobody

lhe godlathet and Tatevik the bride.

that the kavor should have

big belly, smoke

a lot, and carry the assured look of a man who knew the car was about to crash and he was the only one who had remembered to put on clean underwear. I asked the girls in our office what a kavor was supposed to do. They all had opinions. I took notes. Then I realized that none ofthem is married.

I bout once a day. I'd say to Hayk. "You'U ll teltme if therei sometiring I'm supposed rl,o cio, right?" Hayk would tuy noitirg. I

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Photo, above, left to right:

Hayk, lhe gtoom, John

$rnsmt Tbilisyan Circle

Yerevan 3750 14 . Repp-blic of

Aruesia

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